A pros poem I wrote, commemorating the efforts actualized in DBC's 2013 Youth Conference
Extend anyway, even with no support, for God is my under-guard. Though with no rapport, God holds my
arm. He guides me like a compass. Together we make it happen, though others
doubted We would get this far. But in
God I trusted. It might not have worked
the first time but with minor adjustments, and a few things reconfigured, God
made two small speakers sound even bigger, to where the voices of a few rival
the praise of angels. God alone is the megaphone;
He gives the increase to praises. I
merely set the tables. He enjoys a sweet
smelling savor. The challenge from my
Savior is excellent behavior, as He promises that perfection will come
later. Along with acknowledgement from “haters”
who engage in insignificant banter – that’s the hobby of the belated. In a society where talk gets you ahead, work
is understated. So I align thought and
action. One cannot be right and the other wrong. A divided man is unstable, providing support
to no one. First do away with malicious
talk, then comes the brighter outcomes, there shines light from dark, and then
things will begin to work, and it will all make sense. No one knows if their extension is enough
until they make it to the end. So Extend!! Grab ceilings; ready hands to receive
healing. Now reach and stretch; opposite
directions for toes and fingertips. Hug
the globe to grab the east and west winds, open sails on blessings - the north
breeze from heaven. Listen to this
beautiful message: I cannot extend past my reach but my reach can continue extending
- preventing me from ever overstretching.
They say youth is for the young, though with youth, wisdom
can accomplish the work of a thousand sons.
They say wisdom is for the experienced, though with wisdom, what the
youth started he finishes. So, work
smarter and not harder. Work till the
work is complete; work to go farther. I
work because my father bothered. Work
for tomorrow, as my yesterday’s are ‘thank you’s’ because I am still repaying
the time that was borrowed. I now
recalculate the I.O.U’s that I undervalued, from the extension of my father’s
father for his children’s children. So I
honor my mother with follow through and support my brothers with a spirit that
is willing. And my support is free. All that is needed is able feet, reaffirmed
knees, and courage to face whatever as humility reminds it’s not about me.
Extension by definition is future tense. To extend in nature reaches towards the
heavens, so I reach into my tomorrow with the work I do today. But I cannot see into the future, I don’t
know what’s about to come my way. Still.
I. Extend; because if we want more, God has more. Get more for doing more which is often
followed by a round of applause for all that was done imagining all that God
has in store. But, seemingly, He keeps
it on the top shelf. The cupboard of
life sometimes requires getting help. If I look up on hill tops, there goes my
help. I rejoice at the notion –
rejoicing is good for my health.
Difficulties will come, my brethren, don’t be
deceived. Extension is not a one way
door; look both ways even on one way streets.
What’s to prevent what’s outside from coming in or the feeling of
frustration, like you’re on repeat? The
same things over and over and over again, that’s the life of a toilet
seat. I ask, is that the kind of life God
really has planned for me? I should be
holding clipboards like a coach, or a trophy, because I’m a victor with my team
standing beside me. Visualize us all together, tightly together, arms extended,
in every direction – we look like a tree!
With the roots of our feet firmly invested, with sound instruction …OUR
extension will certainly reach the end of any exit. No one will have to tell it, it will be
obvious that there is no further to go. At
the end, you’re either sorry forever or seated next to the throne. At this point there is no going home or going
back to what was known. Successful
extension pulls up to new plateaus. Lift
up from the ground below because someone else extended and helped. What did they help with? Everything I couldn’t do myself. With thanksgiving and gladness, I’m
overwhelmed…. I Extend My Reach
