Of Bases and Biases

 

 

They almost look alike

But there is a major difference

Though we might not spot it

In every instance.

 

And when that happens

We have ourselves to blame

And to correct the situation

We just need to look again.

 

This is not so easily done

Given our stiff-necked nature

And having a preconceived bias

Obscures the genuine picture.

 

I am all too aware

That I appear to be rambling

But don’t bet on it, I caution you

If you are into gambling.

 

And I don’t mean the Rastafarians

Who focus on the “I and I”,

For them that’s more than one

And that, we can’t deny.

 

But it’s time we see the difference

In these two often used words,

Look again I beg you

And with me you will concur.

 

It is the “I” that is different

Between the bases and one’s view

And yes, agenda gets in the pot

And really corrupts the stew.

 

It is the “I” in biases

That turns the matter on its head

And the reluctance to make a change

That error is persistently fed.

 

“This is how I see it

Never mind the fact”

And our self-opinionated mindset

Will take us to the moon and back.

 

Yes, the difference in the words

Is simply the “I”

But this is a major difference

That none of us can deny.

 

I am the difference

And that is the confession I make

And if you are not prepared to do so too

Then maybe you are a fake.

 

We all have our biases

Which often preempt the facts,

It is the “I” I reemphasize

That is the devil on our back.

 

Stewart Russell © February 19, 2021

 

A Call to Ministry

 

 

So often we say

We are call to do this or that

As opposed to ministry

Which is the fact.

 

One is called to write

Another is called to preach,

One is called to sing

I am called to teach.

 

The emphasis, therefore,

Is on what I do

As opposed to service

Or ministry in view.

 

Again, it is the “I”

Instead of the community,

No wonder it often breeds

Much disunity.

 

Ministry is what’s critical

And not what one does,

It’s not essentially what we do

But what’s done for Jesus.

 

We vaunt ourselves

And we beat on our chest,

“What I do is key!”

O what a mess!

 

It is a call to ministry,

Not what I do

Whether I am in the pulpit

Or siting in the pew.

 

“Amen!” is a ministry

An encouraging one at that

Especially when what is said

Is a biblical fact.

 

 

It’s a call to service

Using God-given resource

Which more often than not,

Determines our course.

 

Whether I sing

Or whether I preach

Is far less important

Than my outreach.

 

And whether I dance

Or whether I teach

Ministry is the key

In church or the street.

 

So, preachers, cool it

And you teachers too,

It is about ministry

And not about you.

 

It is not the show

That the singers put on

But a call to ministry

So, be warned!

 

Whatever it is we do

We must learn to do it well,

It is our call to ministry

To go and tell.

 

 

Tell of the love of God

And His Son He freely gave

To save you and me

From a Christ-less grave.

 

Tell of how he came

To die upon the cross

To restore to humanity

What was originally lost.

 

Do not be a block

In your God-given ministry,

Let it be Jesus

That your audience sees.

 

It’s a call to ministry,

I repeat,

Whether you’re in the church

Or on the street.

 

Stewart Russell © October 20, 2021