priorities

by

Rest

We work hard, we play hard;
     but what about rest.
God says we need it
     to be at our best.
Our life gets so busy
     at work and at play.
Our rest gets put off
     for at least one more day.
So many people
     work just to survive.
We don’t get the rest
     that would help us to thrive.

Go here and do this, 
     and what about that?
If you think you are done;
     well, here’s one more hat.
Some tasks are given,
     we think there’s no choice.
Others we call for
     in the loudest of voice.
We need this, we want that;
     we can’t fall behind.
To have all that we want
     takes the top of our mind.

If I don’t keep going,
     refusing to stop.
Then somebody else
     will climb to the top.
And as I am climbing,
     and taking each rod.
The ladder of this world
     takes me further from God.
The king of the mountain,
     the top of the hill.
Is not that important
     when God says, “Be still.”

Strength for the weary
     and hope for the tired.
Seems so out of reach,
     when you fear you’ll be fired.
So onward we press
     and give it our all.
We will never give up
     ‘til we can’t help but fall.
So many people
     who fall flat on their face.
Need a good chance to rest
     and experience grace.

So when you are tired,
     it seems with no end.
Examine your schedule,
     rest may be your friend.
And as you rest fully,
     as God said you should.
Look for the weary
     and do them some good.
Help carry their burden
     and show them the need.
God’s command to get rest,
     they really should heed.
©

It has been what some would call a “lazy day”, but I prefer to think of it as a “restful day”. As I was resting, falling in and out of sleep, God put this poem in my mind. I am thankful for a work environment that tries to protect my need for rest by valuing the work that I do. I pray that this poem encourages you to rest and to do what you can to help others to rest.

In prayer,
Tom

by

Fanatic

So many people
     will root for their team.
They’ll stand up and cheer
     as quite loudly they scream.
They don’t even care
     if you like it or not.
They’ll tell you all day
     their team is so hot.
The more you object,
     the louder they are.
Their team is the best,
     of course they’ll go far.

Fanatics they are,
     but don’t call them that.
They’ll wear their teams’ shirt,
     a coat and a hat.
They’ll speak out quite boldly
     and get in your face.
If you even think
     that their team’s second-place.
Standing together
     or standing alone.
They’ll share their allegiance,
     a text to your phone.

You may not like it,
     they don’t even care.
Nothing will stop them
     when they want to share.
They won’t be too timid
     or silenced by fear.
Their team is the greatest
     and this you must hear.
They’ll spend all their money
     and sacrifice much.
Their time is all given
     so that they stay in touch.

I think this sounds normal
     and really not odd.
Until we start talking
     of a “team” led by God.
Then all of a sudden
     the story does change.
We make up our reasons
     and excuses arrange.
I can’t cheer for Jesus,
     I can’t be that loud.
It wouldn’t be right,
     standing out in the crowd.

I must be real careful
     in all that I say.
Some may not like it
     if I say there’s one way.
No one can notice,
     I won’t make a wave.
Speaking for Jesus
     belongs to the brave.
Yes, I know Jesus
     is the Lord of my life.
But I want to keep silent
     and avoid all the strife.

So what good could happen
     and who could we reach?
If a passion for Jesus
     is something we’d teach?
If all the fanatics
     in all of the stands.
Would rise up for Jesus
     and cover the lands.
If sharing the gospel
     wherever we went.
Was worth all the effort
     and whatever was spent.

To raise up a family
     of fanatics for God.
It could be effective
     even if it seems odd.
To stand up and speak out,
     to cheer on His Name.
To make sure all people
     know this isn’t a game.
As you consider
     who is number one.
I pray that you realize
     it’s Jesus, God’s Son!
©

I caught parts of the football playoff games today and it made me think of the extreme efforts many will go to in support of a sports team. As I was reflecting on that and seeing my Facebook feed fill with various claims of greatness on behalf of the different teams that were still playing, this poem showed up in my mind. I pray that our enthusiasm and fervor for things in life would always be overshadowed by our passion for God.

In prayer,
Tom