community – Page 5 – words from wick

Matthew 21:1-11

Posted on April 4, 2020 by Wick

As Jesus was preparing
To enter the city of Gods people
He didn’t demand a fanfare
Or ornate windows, pews, and steeple

He chose a humble way to enter
As prophets had foretold
Even though such entry still
Invited His followers to be bold.

To be bold in their humility
To not give their Lord a steed
To not publicly declare that here
Is the King all people need.

To follow His example
And respond to the prophet’s voice
He offered them a moment
For their hearts to make a choice

Is Christ the Lord He says He is?
Or can I make Him the Lord I desire?
Is it enough to ignite a spark
That inflames a Holy Fire?

Or do I demand to see results
And see Caesars be deposed?
These were thoughts of His followers then
And we can be sure, He knows.

He knows that we have similar ones
We want a Lord who acts
We want to know if we follow Him
That God will have our back.

In the way Jesus enters, though
He invites us from the start
Not to follow to get what we want
But because New Life is in our Heart.

Posted on April 3, 2020 by Wick

To be so deeply loving Christ
He’s unsure which to choose
To die and be with Christ himself
Or stay alive so Christ may use

Paul wrestles briefly with this choice
(But for the readers’ sake-
As he himself is facing death
And knows their hearts would break.)

He wants every word to encourage
Whether he’s with them or apart
That they would live in ways that proclaim
And reveal their Saviors heart.

He knows that they are suffering
The same struggle that he had
And doesn’t sugar-coat the truth
Or tell them “it’s not so bad.”

He acknowledges what they endure
While drawing close together
That as they live by one spirit
No opponent can ever sever

Where God has brought salvation
By the gracious Love of Christ,
No enemy can stand against
Or charge a greater price

So stand firm, church, and know that Paul
Will do the same however he can,
And he will share in your gospel boasting
When he joins you again.

Posted on April 1, 2020 by Wick

The beginning of a letter
Compared to something like “Dear Church,”
Paul & Timothy began their words
So the people would not have to search

The words of the whole letter
Should be read through this appeal
Filled with thanks, full of hope-
That they’d know Gods’ love is real.

That God would bring to completion
All work that He’s begun
That even something like imprisonment
Cannot hold back the Son

He spoke with such compassion
Even though they were apart
He affirmed his desire to be with them
And knew they held him in their heart

A pastoral letter
From a shepherd to his sheep
Only something like prison bars
Would be strong enough to keep

Yet here is a reminder
The bars could not hold back
The Love of God revealed in Words
Strengthening for any attack

It comes as a reminder
For those of us with loving Words
To keep them unshared is something
Really quite absurd.