“Degree Of Difficulty” (Deut.31:6; Mt. 27:46; Jn.12:27; 14:2-3) [Reflections on Ralph D. Sawyer's Translation of One Hundred Unorthodox Strategies - Battle Tactics of Chinese Warfare #87-88]
“Be present when there’s danger near”,
Then “Clobber weak-one without fear”;
Seems easy, but the trick of this
Is “Making easy time of it”.For “Easy-peasy” does not hatch
Like weakling bird, runt of the batch;
It’s made, created, crafted, fed,
By skillful, when by them, we’re led.Lord, You said You would not forsake
When we Your missions undertake,
As arms and legs – Your body (we
Don’t “Lose our head” when trouble see).You (like the fellow in the book),
Walked into trouble, undertook
To take on satan, evil-one,
Good Friday morning – task now done.You rose; came back and mustered troops;
Ascended; Kingdom gained, to boot;
Your task to do until the end
Took up – on body it depends.So – now we’ve got Your invite clear
To enter Kingdom-layer, here
And now, have place to stand and grow
Into full-people here below.As we abide in You – each day
You show us how to make a way
For You to do Your work – ka-boom!
Releasing captives in the gloom.In little things that now confront
The evil one, You bear the brunt
Of effort and effectiveness,
But need our moves here, nonetheless.Lord, we’re inspired and guided hence
By all Your ways – offense, defense –
How You lived out Your life ’round here,
And bid us live our lives, no fear” –But from the front not safe behind;
Now you’re preparing in our time
Our mansion-rooms in cultures strange –
Far out ahead, You rearrange –A life for us, so when we’re gone
Into a room where we’ll belong,
Which You’re creating for our lives
To help us live and in You thrive –That we can there disciples make
By teaching – that baptized partake
In Kingdom-life with You as well,
Safe, up above their bit of hell.If “Easy”, “Hard” – that’s not my gig;
You are the one who makes the bid
For our involvement – when and where
You think it best – then way prepare.Thanks Lord for this.
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