Any Room Large

Any Room Large
(“Jesus would not let anyone carry things through the temple.” Mark 11:16)

Take a shortcut through the prayer meeting,
carry your briefcase to Bible Study,
update your status, answer the next text,
all while footing past the quiet few listening
for their answers.

Why try to bash your business through the front doors of the temple?
Ignore some more the careful view that some have painted to let their
hearts soar beyond the work-day.
Why keep your phone on? Why update at all when Mighty Attention
draws you tirelessly to His rest.

Burn your smart phones on the next idol pile,
stop your talk of tomorrow’s deal, leave the invoices you carry
behind.
We are not fractions; the Universal Passion will not live
in any room large enough to house second loves and third.

Turn them off the next whisper you hear,
there is desperation that demands meditation
uninterrupted by the need to display your centrality;
you cannot be unconnected for a moment.

Disconnect the next instant quietness calls,
put down the deal to seal; do not trample
buoyancy with the weight of your importance.
You mean more to the Speaker Eternal than
the next caller to place the next order.

Take the long road next time,
stop hurrying through the House of Prayer,
take the scenic route tomorrow,
no more scurrying unaware

Of the worshipers seek the hope of
a single word undistracted by my parade
of self-importance.