“It’s All In The Numbers” (1 Cor.15:24-28; Lk.10:25-37)

“You tell me what the numbers are,
I still won’t know, but I’ll be far
Along the road to knowing what
Is going on – who’s falling flat.”

That’s how policeman do their job,
Especially now – high on the hog
Is lifestyle on McDonald’s wage,
With student loan? It takes no sage –

To see what’s really going on –
Eighty percent moves us along
To being in the ballpark, for
That’s how life works – high? Eighty-four.

So, “Everybody” plays the game
A Scottish trait, Smith got his fame
Describing it – folks like to feel
Their neighbors with respect will kneel –

In adoration – your success –
You prudently avoid the mess
Of finance with your great prowess –
“Strut sitting down” and show finesse.

But underneath it’s all a sham –
The social world plays out “I am
The greatest tiger, jungle-wise
Note evidence before your eyes.”

Lord, I have seen the edge of things
Here, on the home front – Zion sings
It’s praises having made out well,
Between two wars of living hell.

But it’s all fake – sod covers clay
While stucco, chicken wire may
Disguise (it holds tar-paper shacks
Until it’s covered up with that).

Compassion-people comforts buy,
While servers slave ’till night draws nigh;
The givers play the finance game;
Perceivers follow much the same.

The teachers never learn (they “know”),
Which may be right, for so it goes
For those who read a recipe
In flexible reality.

Administrators set their goal
While treading on their neighbors toes;
Encourager’s play pin-ball games
(They are the ball – results the same).

And that’s what snakes in suits still claim –
“The apples, for they’re all the same –
To hell! – With God it is no fun –
Swim with the sharks, ’till day is done”.

Still, “No new business” for the church –
They dwell in social mess, and shirk
Responsibility for aid
To beat up-man by roadside laid.

“Pass by on other side”, they say,
You won’t be late for church that way”;
Those numbers say what’s going on –
Who’s out of line; who’s got it wrong.

But what of me, Lord, I’m the same –
The knowing things within this game
Will not make changes – only You
Can change the world, and ask us to –

Let go of all this “stuff” we have;
The as Your body, pour the salve
On hurting; call to arms the “Fixed”,
The satan, here and now, gets kicked.

Thanks Lord for this.

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