“Lead Us Not Into Temptation” [awareness stage of change] (Ecclesiastes 5:4-7; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Romans 12:3-5; Ezekiel chapter 1-3)

… Or as French say, and Pope approved,
As Spanish had before, forsooth,
“Don’t let us fall in tempter’s space –
For weak we are, this human race”.

The evil world we’re born into
Extends to church (what else is new?) –
“Just seize their goods to pump your power;
Then give to all – seize day this hour.

Of course we sanitized that work –
“God’s work we do, we dare not shirk
Our task as members of the cloth –
Contribute to ‘My’ church’s cost”.

That’s fine, but not at all the best –
First off, who funds the layman’s zest?
Two fifty ground crew, just one jet
To win the war – oh yeah, I’ll bet!

But problem comes when kids arrive –
In fertile soil such offspring thrive
Until they hit their late-teen years –
They hit cold surf – swamped by their fears.

It is no good when kids grow soft,
For world is tough, and life has costs;
No one will fund such “Majesties”;
Best they prepare – start on their knees.

For words and dreams, are meaningless
If they stop there – so heaven’s kiss
Has role to play in hands assigned –
Expressions of a gifted mind.

“Exchange” is how that role is played;
Of course, first, spending-plan is laid,
Lest lure of loot o’er takes the one
With camera-kit, before he’s done.

What I see now as problem here,
Within my space, though far from clear –
I’ve viewed resource as (w)holy mine
“For ministry” – and there’s the bind.

For others need a role to play,
Behind or with – but get no say
In whether to join in such work;
They’re stolen from – by first-class jerks.

That role’s been “Mine” – not body-life
With You the head – we think we’re right;
But out to lunch I’ve been these years,
Which Scripture passage makes quite clear.

“My” money funds creative power,
Firm in my hands from opening hour;
“My ministry” it’s called, not “Yours”;
I’ll “Raise” the funds, augment “My” powers.

Lord, this is sick; quite twisted is,
In church, at home, in photo-biz;
It’s upside down – folks copy me –
“Spreading disease” – what I now see.

Lord, open eyes, and ears, and hands,
That this gets done – I understand;
But as the Scripture says – “So what?
It’s meaningless – so drop the ‘buts’.”

Thanks Lord for this.

“Stu, it’s okay, first stage of change
Is seeing issue is deranged;
So play with it; go try it on;
If it now fits – stage I is gone.

“Stage II – awareness – has a role
Once you accept – go fill the hole
Of ignorance with fact today;
See what gurus in Scripture say.

For you’re not first one down this track,
Or first to feel distinctive lack
Of resource – for you’re all the same –
Just you’re awash in funds – not blame.

“Blame starts once one has opened-eyes,
For then your acts to others cry
Out for redress – so settle in –
Your new adventure now begins.”

But where to start, O Lord, I’m lost,
Bewildered, mixed up, swamped in cost;
To move from here I know not how
Your “Better way” will me allow.

“So read the Scripture, Stu, my man,
Just like Ezekiel – “Eat” – you can
Absorb and do what’s written there;
It all works out – become pre-pared.”

O Lord, this scares ‘Be-Jesus’ now
Right out of me – pray You allow
Me to move on, graced on this layer,
As patiently, You answered prayer.

“It’s okay, Stu, like at the first,
One step’s far more than most – so worst
Part will be you’re alone a while,
As you let go of former style.”

Okay Lord, thanks for this.

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