Your Big Plan : A Poem to God

From the very beginning

You had a Plan

A Bride for Your Son

Starting with man...

In Adam, You formed

Your Likeness to be

Gave Choices to men

So Glory they’d See

No helper was found

So from his own side

You plucked a rib

Formed Adam a Bride

They walked with You in

The garden green,

Enjoying creation

And Your company

But then Eve sinned

Eating fruit she should not

She wrecked the big plan,

Good and evil now thought

So out of the garden

You sent them alone

Blocking the gate

Their sin to atone

A Bride for Your Son

You’d wanted to make

But for this companion

You’d have to wait

Cain and Abel, their sons

Brothers meant to keep safe

But Cain killed Abel

Because he’d sown jealous hate

Cain got punished

Causing You grief

But along came a man

Who brought some relief

You found in Enoch

A friend so dear

That You smiled and said,

“Oh, just come on up here”

So Poof he did go

So that no one could find

Their ole Uncle Enoch

With You now sublime

Yet as time rolled on

People grew worse

You were sorry You made

Men on the earth

Only Noah was righteous

“Yes, Sir,” he obeyed

He built a big boat

And his family was saved

You sent a flood

Judging those who loved sin

Then with a promise

Started over again

And sometime in there

Lived a righteous man, Job

“Would he love if he hurt?”

Satan wanted to know

But with Job You were pleased

For on his rough day

He looked up to You

And worshiped with praise

In pain, Job learned

Deeper lessons of You

Of Your Mighty Power

And Love shining through

Later, people as one

A tall tower they started

To build up to heaven

Til their ways were parted

Because You came down

And confused them all,

The tower unfinished

Would eventually fall

Working together

Is a fine, noble task,

Yet building with You,

Is something You’ve asked

Then many years later

You told Abram

To pack up his stuff

And move to new land

For he saw ahead

To some firm foundations

Saw past his tents,

Had faith that’d bless nations

Sarah, his wife,

At first didn’t believe

But once Isaac was born

She said, “Laugh with me”

Abram offered his son

Completely to You

Then a ram in the bush

Came out of the blue

The ram You provided

Took the place of his son

And with his faith

A new plan begun

One People, a Family

That You would create

That see through to Heaven

With hearts full of faith

When Isaac was grown

You gave him a lady

Pretty-hearted she came

Without hesitating

Then Esau and Jacob

Twin boys Isaac had

They fought from the start

Quite troublesome lads

Esau once traded

His right as the first

Gobbled that stew

Lost the gift of his birth

And Jacob continued

To trick and deceive

Away had to run

‘Cause Your blessing he sneaked

But You gave him a dream

While he slept on a rock

A gateway to heaven

It was quite a shock

That tricky man, Jacob,

Was eventually tricked

Married two jealous wives

One he’d not picked

So, let that teach us,

We reap what we sow

God is not mocked,

Ask Jacob, he knows

But he wrestled with You

And stayed up all night

Til Touch, then an Ouch

Changed the rest of his life

For “Jacob” no longer

Would that be his name

“Israel” was who

He then became

His young son, Joseph,

Was not treated well

But Your Hand was upon him

While in Egypt he dwelt

He stayed stable through

The ups and the downs

Whether slave or prisoner

Or the highest in town

He made sure his brothers

Had learned how to love

Then brought them to Egypt

Your plan from above

Later Jacob’s 12 sons

All settled the land

Became many from few

Just like the sand

Yet, they became slaves

Four hundred long years

They toiled in Egypt

And shed many tears

But You had Your plan,

Someone picked to deliver

Moses, a baby,

Floating downriver

Things got bad

Moses tried to play hero...

His efforts backfired

Amountin’ to zero

So away Moses ran

Did I already mention?

With a bush all on fire

You got his attention

He took off his shoes

And then he heard Your name

You are the I AM

Forever the same

You told him to go,

That his job You would choose

He was begging “Please no”

But then couldn’t refuse

So to Pharaoh you showed

You are the Big Stuff

Ten incredible whammies

Were finally enough

The perfect white lambs

All Sacrificed

Saved Israel’s children

On Passover night

Your people left Egypt

Collecting their treasures

You’re so kind

To go to such measures

But a trap came along

And afraid as could be

Your people were wailing

‘Til You split the sea

For all through the desert

They pouted and whined

If only they’d trust

That You’d step-by-step guide

With cloud and with fire

Your people You led

With birdies and manna

They daily were fed

To Mount Sinai they came

But wouldn’t come close

With trumpet and trembling

None dared to approach

This disbelief caused

Your Plan to slow down

You wanted them near

But no faith could be found

Only Moses asked

Your Glory to know

And one glimpse of Your back

Made his face all aglow

So for then, 10 Commands

And Instructions galore

(Even though Your Big plan

had Much Better in store)

And after Aaron’s gold cow

Angered Your heart

You taught them “Be holy,

For Me set apart”

You’d always wanted

A Kingdom of priests

But You would start

With a few men at least

You gave them a blueprint

Of Your home on earth

Holy and lovely

A tent of great worth

You wanted to be close

But there was much sin

And Something must die

To be forgiven

Spices, sacrifices,

Blood on the ground

Only the clean ones

Could come near Your Cloud

But Miriam grumbled

“We speak for God, too”

‘Til You showed her opinions

Were rotten right through

After some time,

The hoped-for Land was in sight

But a panicked 10 spies

Put things in bad light

Just Caleb and Joshua

Believed, “Yes, we can!

God said we can have it

So let’s take that land”

But You had to take

People shrouded in fears

Back to the desert

For 40 more years

During that time

Korah started to hate

Those chosen to lead

So the ground up him ate

Still some wouldn’t listen

To the men You’d picked

But You stopped their murmurs

With Aaron’s bloomed stick

Finally they came

To the land You prepared

But You left some battles

To teach them to care

Across the Jordan

They needed to get

Sphhhht! Water parted

Their feet never wet

Then the army obeyed

With their marchin’ and yells

The walls ‘round Jericho

Fell down by themselves

They took their inheritance

Tribe by tribe

Working together

Though it took some time

You’d make them all one

If they’d just turn to You

Not many remembered

Though there were a few

Ruth heard of Yahweh

And You she’d not leave

So Naomi she loved

And served selflessly

Til Boaz took notice

(Like You it would seem)

He covered dear Ruth

And fully redeemed

Deborah, Gideon,

Samson all led

Your people as Judges

Taught folks what You’d said

Gideon smashed idols

Had them smash pots

With You, they just needed

A few men, not lots

You heard Hannah’s cry

And she kept her word

She said, “I sure love him, but

This boy is Yours”

Her son, Samuel, listened

When You said his name

For all of his life

When You called, he came

He was a prophet,

A priest, and a judge

No titles or speeches

But no word fell thud

Still everyone cried,

“We want a king!”

So You gave them Saul

Though he was hiding

Saul’s pride later panicked

“I’ll do it myself,”

So You said his reign

You’d no longer help

But in David You saw

A heart of Your type

Who protected his lambs

With his very own life

He fought the big guys

‘Cause they fought against You

No giant could say,

“Your God isn’t True”

And David was the first

To call You our Daddy

He sang You love songs

And danced for You gladly

Jonathan, his friend,

Even gave up his throne

When he saw You’d picked

One loved as his own

David longed

To build You a House

He did all he could

To get things started out

Then Solomon asked

For wisdom to reign

You gave it, and by it

Your Temple was made

A house made of stone

Where You could reside

But still just a shadow

Of what You’d in mind

But it was quite grand

Quite grand indeed

The most powerful nation

Israel was the big cheese : )

But not very long later

Just 20 short years

Many just left You

Even idols appeared

Your very own nation

Was broken in two

People were scattered

Not looking for You

Jeroboam, Rehoboam

Ahab, Jezebel

So much badness

I don’t like to tell

But Elijah proved

With that altar of fire

That You are real

And all else a liar

Later, Elijah was scared

But he found where You were

And when he was quiet

He heard Your whisper

Elisha, his friend,

Quite boldly asked

For a double helping

To finish the task

Things kept going badly

But You sent many men

To call to the people

And turn them from sin

Isaiah, Zephaniah,

Habakkuk and Joel,

Puzzle pieces they dropped

As the future they told

Isaiah saw...

A champion who’d save

But the people would miss Him

Oh, what a shame.

And Jeremiah cried...

For the pain that You feel

But saw You’d make hearts

Of stone become Real

And Ezekiel said,

“I’ll stand on the walls,

If danger I see

My trumpet will call!”

Then You told him to speak

And Your Sprit blew

Raising an army

From bones and sinew

But to all of these things

People still would not listen

You had to do something

To get their attention

So enemies conquered,

Took Your children away,

Then some cried to You

And chose to obey

Daniel and friends

Would not forget Zion

So You kept them safe

From fire and lions

Hosea, Zechariah

Amos, and more

All See-ers of Heaven

Saw what was in Store

Ezekiel once saw

Your House that was Glowing

Then later the River

Of Life all a Flowing

A trickle, a stream

The water too deep

But life was a comin’

To that ol’ dead sea

The House and the River

They were quite Amazing

Because in them Your Glory

Was Brilliantly Blazing...

But when would it happen?

Your word doesn’t fail

We can’t wait to see it

It’s no fairy tale

Eventually time came

The discipline up

Time to go Home!

And Scrub-a-dub-dub

Zerubbabel went back

With Jeshua his friend

To rebuild Your city

No Pretenders let in

Those pretenders caused trouble,

Made people laze

Excuses, excuses,

Created a haze

So Haggai told them,

“You’d best get to work.

Stop worrying about your house,

This job comes with Perks”

Haggai later saw

A house that was grand,

Filled With Your Glory

Not one made with hands

And Esther the queen

Was like Your own Bride

Offering her life

At just the right time

And Nehemiah cried

When it became clear

That Your City lacked walls

So he built without fear

No enemies could stop them

Working brother by brother

A trowel in one hand

A sword in the other

Finally You’d brought

A remnant back home

Those shining survivors

Were truly Your own

Your house they’d finished

But Your glory not there

Although You had promised

And You surely did care

So when would it happen?

Because that wasn’t the house

Your plan was still unfolding

For Your Son a spouse

Through Malachi You said,

“Try Me and See!

Give Me your best

I’ll give back massively!”

And a promise was made

That the day would come

When the hearts of the fathers

Would turn to the young

Still people were weak

Though they longed to do right

The dark still ruled

And they didn’t have light

For many generations

Seasons came and went

Not much was happening

Just quiet, so quiet

Wait! Wait!

That can’t be the end

You’d longed for a Bride,

A City, a Friend

Then, the sweetest thing

That You’d ever done

Into this world

You sent Your own Son

Yes, He would be

Born as a babe

The promised Messiah

Coming to save

But You needed a mommy

For Your baby boy

Mary said, “Yes,”

Singing with joy

Someone the prophets

Had all pointed to

Jesus, O Jesus

That someone was You

In Elizabeth’s tummy

John jumped for joy

Your Spirit excited

Over this little boy

Jesus, You’d left

Your Daddy’s side

To be born in a manger

As a baby to cry

You alone were

Both God and man

Of course this is how

You’d finish the plan

Jesus, Emmanuel,

Our God born to be

God in the flesh

For the whole world to see

John baptized and paved

The Road for You

Just Happy to be

The friend of the groom

Then the Holy Spirit

Came down like a dove

Your Father shouted,

“My Son whom I love”

This part of the plan

Men had looked forward to

A Life from Above

He was here, He was You!

Your body not only

Made of flesh and of bone

It was a temple

Your Spirit’s home

A new deal was coming

And You were the first

A Nation, A tribe

A church You would birth

In the desert You passed

All satan’s tests

You never once sinned,

Oh, You are the best!

Then You got to work

Changing men’s lives

All Heaven broke loose...

It was quite a time...

Peter and Andrew

Dropped everything fast

They came right away

I’m sure You liked that

Nathanael was someone

Who was always quite True

He had nothing hidden

So he followed, too

To the thirsty woman

Living Water was offered

And the centurion Saw

The whole world You author

The lady who wept

Close at Your feet

Was forgiven of sins

I know that felt sweet!

And Mary gave away

Her future concerns

A place in the story

Forever she earned

The storm and big waves

You made very still

So the disciples would learn

They really should chill

A lady’s hurt tummy

Healed with one touch

With a boy’s two fish

You turned little to much

So many miracles

The disciples would see

Everything obeyed You

What Authority!

Yet as You taught them

You looked in each eye

Cared for their needs

Even when You were tired

Who did they say You were

With such words of life?!

Your Father showed Peter

You are the Christ!

You told all the people

Of Your Big Plan

“Now time to repent,

The Kingdom’s at Hand”

Not religious or rote

You taught us to talk

To our Daddy in Heaven

We ask with knock, knock

You told people stories

One of a lost sheep

When the shepherd found it

He rejoiced with a leap

And the children came

To You with such glee

You Blessed them all

Saying, “Come to Me”

Now Lazarus died

Even started to smell

Then came out of his tomb

What a story to tell!

Matthew and Mary

Zacchaeus and James

Thomas, Philip,

Each one You changed

Those coming to You

Hearts broken in need

With a look or a touch

You set captives free

But the teachers and leaders

Who thought they were smart

Let jealous hatred

Rot in their hearts

And as they attacked,

You knew what to do

You gave up Your life

For a Covenant New

You offered Your life

As our Passover Lamb

You were the Solution

That so long was planned

Men hurt You; they mocked You

But You never lashed back

You died on a cross

And the whole sky went black

But Death couldn’t hold You

Just Three days in a grave

Then You “picked up” Your life

And are alive still today

Your Big Plan now LIVES!

Because You’re the way

That the sins of Your people

Can ALL be erased

Now We can be close

As close as close gets

Coming in now

Through the curtain You ripped

But the plan wasn’t about

Just opening that door

You weren’t done yet

There was much more in store

You walked on the earth

For 40 more days

Told Seers and Sayers

For power to wait

You talked about leaving

Going back to Your Dad

And said that’d be better

So we should be glad

Because in People who’ll count

This life but a loss

Lay it all down

And pick up their cross

You’d promised a present

To lead and to guide

Not only “with us” or “on us”

But Heaven inside!

Then You left in the clouds

But said You’d return

When Your Plan is finished

Bride fully learned

So 120 stayed close

Prepared and awake

Making things happen

By Your plan, no mistake

Because they were ready

In that upper room

That was the beginning

Of the REAL Big BOOM!

Yes, it happened

Your Spirit descended

Baptized with fire

Just as You intended

Those cut to the heart

Asked, “What should we do?”

And 3,000 were baptized

With Spirit Made NEW!

The New Deal was here

The old now complete

No longer “do this!

Don’t do that! Pretty please?”

That Covenant of Rules

Was just there ‘til we saw

Our hearts couldn’t keep

Your very good law

So now back to the garden

You lead us to Life

To Live in Your Smiles

Not just “wrong” and “right”

So the real party began

Folks didn’t go home

Your glory was there

Great grace being Shown

They stuck close to the apostles

To the breaking of bread,

To praying and listening

To all that was said

House to house and in public

Every day

Loving and sharing

Together they stayed

Your feet on the earth

And in Heaven Your head

Filled Believers with awe

And even some dread

Ananias and Sapphira

They tried to pretend

They lied to You

So they met their end

When word got around

Why they’d been a’smitten

No one dared join them

If they were a’chicken

But some were bold

Like a lion did dare

To join them, be washed

Have a part and a share

Stephen knew his history

And tried to cut deep

But those hearts were hard

Were not God’s sheep

He told ‘em You don’t

Live in buildings from hands

Then glowed like an angel

When he saw You stand

Those men picked up rocks

And struck fatal blows

While Stephen just prayed

His face all aglow

You later told Peter

There’s someone to meet

You kept breaking barriers

When You let down that sheet

Cornelius was ready

For the great news You bring

He’d kept his heart soft

So You made him clean

Paul was hurting You

But on the ground dropped

Now proclaiming Your grace

He was not going to Stop

Around the known world

Trip after trip

Spreading Your News

With Good Leadership

Letter after letter

He wrote to the Fam’

Encouraging, Exhorting

The Saints of the Lamb

Paul did have a thorn

Was tempted to be depressed

But continued to work harder

Then all of the rest

Taught saints how to love

And not just make noise

Through suffering and hardship

Have a little poise

Taught saints’ how our bodies

Are not just flesh and bone

Now we’re a temple

For You, a Home

Your Temple Is now PEOPLE

That’s where You Reside

In hearts that are yielded

And In You Abide

No longer a deal

Of rules and of laws

Now Your Spirit Within

Builds strong walls

By doing your work

In each other’s lives...

Each day we’re preparing

A Beautiful Bride

Your Word, Alive

Living and Active

For those who love Truth

It’s quite attractive

Your Church, Alive

Living and Moving

Your Body on earth

Your Wisdom NOW Proving

For those who believe

Your Body is clear

Head in Heaven

And Feet-ies down here

Your Body it functions

It lives and it moves

The eye can’t say

“I don’t need you”

We’re Your Family

To each other belong

Intertwined by love

Our loyalty’s strong

From the least to the greatest

Reflecting Your Glory

That is the climax

Of this wonderful story

A Lampstand for You

To walk all among

To show Your power

Through old and through young

Taking the Land

Not just “making it through”

Overcoming In life

As we Partner With You!

Your Church, A City

Set on a Hill

That’s what You gave us

In Your New Deal

Manifesting Jesus Life

With ever-increasing Glory

Visibly, every day

Expanding Your Territory

You showed John some stuff

That hasn’t happened yet

But it will for sure

On that we can bet

Two Witnesses will Stand

Together As One

To See and to Say

All that You’ve Done

Proving Your Word

It’ll feel pretty weighty

With Strong Evidence

And some big boom babies

And after they’re done

In the street, they’ll be killed

But in the end

It’s no big deal

Because You will call them

Up to the sky

While their enemies just watch

As they wave, “bye”

A woman, a baby,

Beasts and a dragon

A mark and deep trouble

For those on that wagon

So yeah, some things must happen

Before You arrive

And, Your bride’ll be ready

The joy of Your eyes

Yes, she will grow

‘Til no longer a child

But a beautiful lady

Who brings out Your smile!

A partner—Your partner

Who shines from within

Moving and speaking

Just like the wind

And once she’s all ready

Your likeness Complete

You’ll shout to Your Daddy

And jump from Your seat

“Look! She loves Me!”

You’ll shout from His side

Then riding white steed

Crack open the sky

While the dragon, the haters

Will be goin’ down...

All those IN You

Will gather around

To rule and to reign

New heaven and earth

With You, The Bride

The Church that You birthed

Oh, History unfolding

Treasures abounding

I can hardly believe it

Your love so astounding

Your gifts from above

Have just kept raining down

Grace upon grace

How sweet the sound

O dear Jesus

What a beautiful story

Thank You again

We can’t wait to join Ya

So dear children,

Have you been listening?

There’s so much in store

Your future all glistening

Some things might get tough

But there’s no need to worry

He will be back...

Not late and not early

So with abandon and hope

Live today and tomorrow

Choose life over death

And joy over sorrow

By playing your part

We’ll all see His glory

It’s your turn now

YOU Go finish this story