“Twin Dangers” [Reflections on Ralph D. Sawyer's Translation of One Hundred Unorthodox Strategies - Battle Tactics of Chinese Warfare #55-56]

Twin dangers now appear in Sawyer’s book –
His comments make us take a second look –
First part is clear – if enemy is beat
From travel, hit them fast before they sleep.

The second is intriguing in its way –
The more you win, the more you think you’ll stay
In winning mode – just like in sports today –
Defenders of the title lose the day.

Fatigue and ease – twin dangers are for all –
In dance of interactions, short or tall
Does not define life’s outcomes – five smooth stones
Brought old Goliath down, who armor owned.

Lord, as I look at this, reversed today,
I’m thinking of my friend who’s beat today –
She needs some rest, quite vulnerable in biz;
Can’t see just how exhausted she now is.

So “Waiting time” can also skew our view,
As we think we’re okay – with naught to do;
A balance that – to rest, stay on our toes;
“State of alertness” piles up stress that shows.

“Mount up on wings like eagles”, Good Book says;
“Move sitting down” Ephesians groundwork lays;
“Abide in Me” You counseled in Your day;
“Peace is your weapon in the whirling fray.”

Thanks for the caution in this summer time;
So much to do to bring things into line;
A mix indeed – live in the moment, “Still”,
Engaged in life, enriched by daily thrill.

Lord, this informs me of my work in You
Re: “Heaven’s kiss”, where old now joins the new –
I couldn’t see how all this could be blessed
By You, when most of life was such a mess.

But now, emerging in dispersing fog,
I start to see a shape in dialogue
Of life – like Sun Tsu’s dance on battle-lines;
In You, I see things do work out in time.

Thanks for Your word through me to that guy’s boy –
How he’s advancing, later they’ll deploy
To where he’s moving – he advantage has;
A bit of pain, but later, razzmatazz.

Just like this case, it’s not the hand alone
That’s dealt, but how you play it on your own,
And in the larger context – dancing life –
Not just on stage or dance floor, but in strife.

Thanks Lord for this.

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