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The Great Manager

In a factory building, there are wheels and gearings,
There are cranks, pulleys, belts either tight or slack
Some are whirling swiftly, some are turning slowly,
Some are thrusting forward, some are pulling back;
Some are smooth and silent, some are rough and noisy,
Pounding, rattling, clanking, moving with a jerk;
In a wild confusion in a seeming chaos,
Lifting, pushing, driving but they do their work.
From the mightiest lever to the smallest cog or gear,
All things move together for the purpose planned;
And behind the working is a mind controlling,
And a force directing, and a guiding hand.
So all things are working for the Lord’s beloved;
Some things might be hurtful if alone they stood;
Some might seem to hinder; some might draw us backward;
But they work together, and they work for good,
All the thwarted longings, all the stern denials,
All the contradictions, hard to understand.
And the force that holds them, speeds them and retards them,
Stops and starts and guides them is our Father’s hand.

ANNIE JOHNSON FLINT

I am sure readers will agree that this poem speaks to us not only individually but also nationally. We don't always know why God allows the things he allows, but we can trust his purposes. As a Zambian I find comfort as I consider the tragic news this past week of the passing of President Michael Sata. God is surely in control of all things.

Copyright © Chola Mukanga 2014
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