Here I am boss
Reporting for duty
Have I got a good report for you
The assignment you gave
I executed with ease
As I got those tongues wagging
That place which seeks to be a beacon on a hill
Reflecting the Light of the world
Instead grew a little dimmer today
I started with those who are idle
Who have the time to talk
In no time at all…the seed of gossip blossomed
The trick is
When they are talking about others
They don’t have time to read the word of God
When they are negative and brooding
Completely lacking the joy of the Lord
They are not taking every thought captive
When they spend time
Debating about which songs should be sung
They don’t have the time to worship their Lord
When they set aside the diligent study of the Bible
How can they hold it up
To examine themselves in light of God’s word
When the rest on their laurels
Feel comfortable in their accomplishments
They won’t desire a fresh work of God in their life
When they fail to trust and respect
The leaders whom God raised up
A negative critical spirit takes its place
When they attempt to love on their own power
They will be unable to bear all things, nor hope and believe
Their love will never endure on its own
Some I will lure into exhaustion
Through pressing needs, good works and few helping hands
It’s there I will stir up resentment
May they bow their knee to their Lord
But never their will
There they can rest in a false sense of piety
Oh hater of their soul
The fruits of our labor
Are plentiful and abundant
May they never see it
Or recognize the handwriting of our work
It’s there we can turn them against one another
Render ineffective their witness
When they are focused on one another
They won’t remember to take the gospel to the lost and dying world
by Susan Bunts
September 23, 2008
A Poem by Any Other Name 