[015] A Message From A Poem - All About Me But What About The Lord?

[015] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - ALL ABOUT ME BUT WHAT ABOUT THE LORD?

This is a very serious poem even though it is written in a partly informal way. The title says it all. “Everything revolves around me, and the Lord should be grateful for the time I give to Him.” Of course that attitude is wrong but it is the theme of this poem.

The poem is a challenge to reflect on what our lives are like and what priority the Lord has in our lives. We can get so involved in worldly things, and the demands of everyday living, that our connection with Jesus Christ gets pushed to the side by “more pressing matters”.

Do we make excuses for ourselves? I am sure we do. We try to justify our position but think for one moment; the Lord knows you better than you know yourself. He does not want your excuses – HE WANTS YOUR LIFE AND LOVE.

Consider these two important verses here – {{1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN FOR YOU HAVE BEEN BOUGHT WITH A PRICE? Therefore glorify God in your body.”}} We belong to the Lord, if indeed we have given our lives to Him, so what right do we have to take back our lives again by selfish behaviour?

I often say that the two things the Lord looks for in our lives are faithfulness and commitment. In this poem, I suppose that comes through in the descriptions, for there was a lack of it at the start.

The poem is in two sections though they are not marked. The big change comes with these lines – [[“Where do your priorities lie?” the Lord then asked me.

I felt then a twinge of embarrassment.]]

I think if we are honest we can all acknowledge a commitment that ebbs and flows, but that is not how it should be. We should be sold out for our Saviour.

The Laodicean church was very non-committal about the Lord and this He said to them – {{Revelation 3:15-17 “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold or hot, so because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich and have become wealthy and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,”}}

Please read the poem carefully. (I have had to put stanza breaks in because the formatting does not arrange stanzas correctly.)

ALL ABOUT ME BUT WHAT ABOUT THE LORD?

I'm up in the morning and time is slipping away.

“I’m sorry, Lord, I’ve got no time to pray,

Or to read Your word of truth and strength.

I must get ready and hurry away.”

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“I mean to do those things, but don’t seem to find the time.

I still go to church - You know, that is fine.

You can’t fault me on effort, my Lord,

As I do try, and I know You are mine.”

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“Can’t you excuse me at times, my Lord; I’m so busy.

My job is demanding but I do try.

Mowing the lawn and walking the dog,

Relaxing, TV - for my time, they all vie.”

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“O yes, we must witness, so I go out with my mates;

Not to nasty places, You are aware.

I help at the church working bees when asked,

And I try to avoid things that ensnare.”

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“Norm is busy, Andrew, Clive, Jim and Mitchell as well.

With the time we have we do what we can,

But I do as much as they, for You!

We all do our part, as part of Your plan.”

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“Lord, I know your word is good, but I’m not a preacher.

Surely others who are, can study more?

I am happy to hear what they say.

Actually, that’s what we pay them for.”

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The Lord kept trying to speak to me, but I was deaf.

“Study to show yourself to God approved;

A workman who will not be ashamed.

Rightly divide the word that you once proved.”

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I retaliated through stubbornness, in my way:

“O yes, Lord, but that must mean the preachers.

They’re the ones who are trained to study,

So that in churches, they are the teachers.”

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“Also dear God, I do my bit – like the offering,

And to others, doing good when I can.

With limited time, I think of You,

But do try to fit You into my plan.”

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“I promise to read your word when I can, and to pray.

It’s just so hard with so much to be done.

I’ll see what I can adjust right now,

But a busy life can also mean fun.”

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“Where do your priorities lie?” the Lord then asked me.

I felt then a twinge of embarrassment.

My busy life flashed before my eyes

After all, what’s been my life’s attainment?

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Seriously, what is there for God to be acclaimed?

What’s been done in His strength, and not in mine?

I really scraped the barrel with that.

Very little - no cause to whinge or whine.

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That is where conviction played its part and grabbed me hard.

For God, my life had achieved but little.

I examined the cause and found that

My life could plead nothing for acquittal.

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“Where does a godly life begin?” I questioned myself.

Surely in communion and fellowship?

But it was those things I’d neglected.

Therefore God and I weren’t in partnership.

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Communion is like a tree that takes up nutriments –

Water and food – for growth, essential,

But in the Christian life that MUST be,

So that we attain fullest potential.

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I had bypassed my Lord in fostering fellowship,

And spent it on matters of no account.

Now came a time of true reckoning

Like a spilled rider, I had to remount.

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Now, Lord, I have time to pray and read each new morning,

And my priorities have also changed.

From here the Lord means everything;

My time and activities, rearranged.

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Ronald Ferguson Metre = 13-10-9-10 throughout A-B-C-B

On the 11th January 2005 I wrote the first stanza, then is was filed away and lost. When I found it, I completed it on 2nd January 2022.