Poem - The Telescope

THE TELESCOPE

I stood beside a telescope lying on the floor;
Its object lens was six feet high or perhaps a little more.
And when I looked through the big lens to see what I could see
I saw an image of my God - as small as small could be.

I knew some other Christians seemed to see much more than I,
So I summoned up the courage to ask the reason why.
"Turn the telescope around”, advised a Godly friend
"You've got to look at God Almighty through the other end."

The advice he gave intrigued me; I wanted to know more -
But I soon found my telescope was bolted to the floor.
I needed God for I was sick and drawing money from the dole
Wondering in middle age if I even had a role.

"Give your life to Jesus" said another kindly friend
"Invite the Lord into your heart - and serve Him to the end"
With nought to lose I did my best and, hesitatingly,
I cried unto the Lord to come - do what he liked with me.

And lo! Despite its size, its weight, He turned the thing around
The lens this time was very small only 3 feet from the ground.
I had to stoop and close one eye but there for me to see
I viewed a tiny part of God, as big as great can be.

But if I moved my eye a bit, a new wonder could I see
And there seemed no ending to the great variety
Of ways in which to love him and of ways he brings us joy
And once again I felt as free as when a little boy.

Freely did He bless me - freely does He bless me now.
And although life is not easy, to Him everything I owe.
So Stewardship is managing all that he has freely given
and I try to give him back at least one tenth of time and income.

For not to do so seems quite wrong - it's cheating Him, you see;
The book of Malachai makes that clear (as clear as clear can be!)
"Put me to the test" he says "and Heaven's windows will I fling
wide open, and pour abundantly all kinds of lovely things"

So turn your telescope around and Steward all you may
And I believe th'Almighty will not look the other way;
His promise is the opposite - he doesn't break his word;
He will fill your life abundantly with the freedom of a bird.

Lester Edenborough
 
Refs: Malachai Chapter 3 verses 6 to 13
  Deuteronomy Chapter 6 verse 5
  Matthew Chapter 22 verses 37-39