[295]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LOVE/SERVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU
I wrote half this poem waiting in the waiting rooms of the hearing/ hearing aid place then finished it at home. When I wrote this poem a couple of days ago I began with the idea of the appearance of peace as what we see before us, with real turmoil inside that we can’t see. The poem developed and I just followed if you can understand what I am saying. I had no idea of a plan or what the outcome was going to be. The poem just made its own path. I acknowledge the Lord’s help in all that I write.
There is so much hurt around but people mainly disguise their aching heart because they don’t want to lose face or appear weak before others. God knows all about our troubles.
Then there are others who are dishonest, deceptive and mean to others. They fool other people as to what they truly are but they will not escape the verse – {{Galatians 6:7-8 “DO NOT BE DECEIVED. GOD IS NOT MOCKED, for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap, for the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life.”}}
In the third stanza I wrote one line – “They think others might gossip or attribute blame.” This is one reason why some hurting Christians won’t ask for help or for prayer even, because some of them have had their fingers burnt previously. It ought not to be. It is sad but not everyone in a church can be trusted with a confidence and will run away to gossip or start to blame the sufferer for the problem. Paul frequently calls on the Christians to support each other and to comfort those who are hurting.
I also think it is sad, especially in bigger churches, when people are undergoing turmoil, that they are “lost in the crowd” because it is not uncommon for bigger churches to become too impersonal. This is a serious matter churches need to address.
The poem closes with the call to serve one another. {{Galatians 5:13 “You were called to freedom, brethren, only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”}} This is another – {{Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.”}}
Let Jesus Christ be our example in our concern and care for each other.
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LOVE/SERVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU
On the surface the water was peaceful and calm,
But underneath, deep down, the currents threatened harm.
What you read on the exterior may not be,
And what’s in the interior you can not see.
On appearances, decisions are wrongly made,
Then, with justice wrongly paid.
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You can fool me and I can fool you, but beware,
God is not mocked, and deception He will not spare.
The Lord God knows the heart of man and what’s in it.
God is not fooled and He knows ev’ry little bit.
Each one will give account to God, the Judge on high.
All deeds and works are transparent. No one can lie.
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Some Christians hide their feelings – present a wrong face.
There’s turmoil within they have locked up in a case.
Not wanting others to know for fear of one’s shame,
They think others might gossip or attribute blame.
It is all so sad that such things are occurring.
He who suffers hides away, silence preferring.
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A peaceful face may be living with hidden hurt,
But to help that one, a Christian must stay alert.
We have that responsibility to draw near;
The pain of others and their hurting, we must hear.
Too many are careless about another’s need,
And selfishly neglect them in word and deed.
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That’s not what the Master did in consoling love.
We must likewise do; not the world’s neglectful shove.
Comfort one another, and fulfil Christ’s command.
That will gain His favour, and not His reprimand.
Fellow brothers, sisters in the Lord; we are one.
Serve each one fully as Christ our Lord would have done.
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22 February 2026 Ronald Ferguson 12 throughout AABBCC