“The Arrogance Of The Stand-Alone” (Eph.6:10;Is.58:11; Mt.5:43-48; Jn.9:4; 17:5; 1Cor.2:16) [Reflections on Ralph D. Sawyer's Translation of One Hundred Unorthodox Strategies - Battle Tactics of Chinese Warfare # 21 and 22-A]

The self-made-man, who stands alone
In business, war, and back at home,
Is valued highly in this land –
Though vulnerable, you understand.

For body-life means victory –
That’s possible for you and me,
When Christ is head, and we’re on task,
Now unified in Christ at last.

There’s arrogance which flows around
When we’re alone by others found –
“See what I did? From top I reined;
Now – stand alone, and do the same!”

An ally brings its army, so
Three armies with these others, grow
Into a force to hit both sides,
And give the foe a merry ride.

“Obsequious”, the term that’s used
By ancient writers – to confuse
The other party – let them swell
With pride, “Hey look! I have done well.”

Then, when conditions better are,
Drop all pretense, be who you are,
And clean their clock, stomp on their head,
And thus let world of by you be led.

Lord, that is pretty standard fare,
But flipped around, I sense Your care
For all of us – without a doubt
We need to watch what You’re about.

“Be what you are; stay on your toes;
Abide in Me; don’t trust in those
Who play the game which you describe –
Abide in Me, in Me reside.”

Lord, he describes ten problem-guys –
Five aspects good – so mix abides
In hearts of all of us I see –
With how to move on what one sees.

“Stu, I’m the ‘Good Guy’ – play it out –
You’ll see at once, without a doubt –
You live in Me, and I in you,
You’ll be that way – if you so choose.

“I’ve courage, so not overwhelmed;
I’m wise, so calm before their eyes;
Benevolent, so love My folk;
Trustworthy, not like men who joke –

“About their cons, and scams, and plots;
I’m loyal, just one mind I’ve got –
So bide – and be courageous, wise,
 Benevolent, trustworthy, try –

“Approach to life, with loyalty;
A transformation you will see
As days stretch into months and years –
Each stage of change makes next part clear”.

I see man’s great hypocrisy
Is feigning friendship – “Let us be
A team – together we can win;
New life together we’ll begin”.

But just as soon as victory
Is on horizon, we will see
Alliances were for one task –
Not “Life-together” – that’s all past.

But You, O Lord, forever are;
Hypocrisy is out, by Gar,
And we can on that rock remain –
Through life and death You’ll stay the same.

Thanks Lord for this.

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