“The Issue Of Provocation” [Reflections on Ralph D. Sawyer's Translation of One Hundred Unorthodox Strategies - Battle Tactics of Chinese Warfare #61-62]

Inciting action in the foe
Is easy way to win – I know,
For it is hard to hold the course
When you’re provoked to act with force.

It plays upon one’s volatile
Response to problems – infantile
It seems when cooler heads prevail;
So ’bide in Christ, you will prevail –

At least prevail against your self,
And there’s the weakness – satan’s stealth
Is where you’ll trip up every time
Out on your own, on conflict’s line.

The key is, “Who will make first move?”
Once both sides settle in a groove;
Unorthodox comes into play –
Provoking action’s opening day.

An early form, where radar sites
Located are, with mini-flights,
Was made with sorties – analyzed
Intelligence then scrutinized.

Lord, when it’s flipped, I hear Your word
That when some provocation’s heard
It comes to faith in Your command,
In situations in our land.

And then, as well, when we are asked
To take some action unabashed,
Have faith You know what You would do, is
Because of dance we start anew –

With satan and his ilk, who play
Same game with You by night or day;
In You, things done by other side
Expected are – “In Me abide –

“And it will work out in the end;
To act like them, to there descend,
Does not attract, inspire, play out,
My way of life – what it’s about.”

That tape on how girls fight with friends
And enemies – it all depends
On “Yes” and “No” relationships –
Provoking action, scorning slips –

Those wounds which leave no bruises there,
Which don’t provoke the grown-ups care
For peace in Valley – they “Persuade”
To win the day with “Nice” displayed.

Which then, of course, shapes adult life,
Where women fight with words that knife,
And looks, played out in icy stares,
Disguised as “Innocence” and “Care”.

Well, Lord, results are suicide,
With “Facebook’s” vicious social side
Denied by “Zukerberg, the saint”,
In drawing fire to help the faint –

Of heart, so maybe it’s okay
To call a spade a spade today;
“Provoke a move”; “Compel some act”
Is ancient Chinese warfare tact.

This, earlier, was satan’s thought –
Take Job, discussed by he and God –
His provocation was intense,
And Job alone without defense –

He did not budge – like bully-plays
On school ground, in my early days
Where Larry would not fight – no way
He’d be provoked to that way play.

Myself? I won’t defend my case;
Some other guy from human race
Who’s getting clobbered – I’ll move in
Defend, and intervene – all in.

Though now I’ve learned to ’bide in You
Lord Jesus, You give things to do –
“Unorthodox” Your strategies –
For when provoked, and less than pleased –

I tend to jump in on my own,
Which can be played when I’m alone
And think of responses up to me –
I pause, like “Count to ten”, and see –

If maybe there’s a better way
Than be cut out from further play;
My “Giver-finance” coolness side,
Can balance interactive ride.

You said, O Lord, we’re part of team,
And showed us what the Scriptures mean
’Bout “Body-life” as we do task
Which You’re about – beats getting smashed.

It’s so much better – don’t yet know
That much about it – some – although –
It is already better now,
And I anticipate much more somehow.

Thanks Lord for this.

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