Paul – Page 3 – words from wick

Colossians 4:2-5

Posted on April 16, 2020 by Wick

Paul writes to Colossae
Not complaining of his chains
Freedom for himself is not
Something for which he strains

He implores them to keep praying
To be thankful and assured
The most important freedom
Is the sharing of the Word

The mystery of Christ
That longs to be revealed
Is that good news all creation
Through it, could be healed

He even reminds himself
To stay focused on clarity
The good news is not simply
Offering the world a bit more charity

But take every opportunity
To reveal the mystery of Christ
The resurrected Savior
Who did more than say “be nice.”

He gave up his own body
And was then resurrected
So that New Creation Life
Could be something we expected…

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.