“Focus And Dispersion” [Reflections on Ralph D. Sawyer's Translation of One Hundred Unorthodox Strategies - Battle Tactics of Chinese Warfare # 23-24]

In dance of war, strategic power is mix of power one has,
With some advantage which you’ve seen, with little razzmatazz;
If tally of the odds you see, are up ’round eight or nine
Of ten, then implement your plan, and you will make out fine.

Of course, you need to follow up once they are on the run –
It costs far less to press your case until the job is done;
Protracted wars are waste of time and resource, by and large;
So best you stand back, think a bit, if you’re the one in charge.

A good example, is the way of looking formless long
Into one’s venture in some fight, so foes will get it wrong;
Then in a flash advance your plan before preps can be made
To mount defense where you attack – full strength and not some raid.

If enemy has focused strength, then make him stretch that out –
Pick some sweet spot where victory will rise with little doubt;
For force combined against one part, like D-Day in the past,
Breaks through into your target-space, so victory will last.

Good info can inform your choice of where it’s best to go;
Condition of the enemy, and things you need to know;
For in the mix there is a chink in armor of the foe,
And that’s the point to press your power as you advancing go.

Like, using “Night” plus “River”, which they think will not be used;
Then double up the symbols of “great numbers” that you choose,
To leverage the shock-effect, to augment impact-stress;
So altogether, form a mix that gets you more with less.

Lord, as I flip this on its head, it helps me understand
How You approach Your long-term task through us as feet and hands –
Strategic power applies to love, support, and giving-ways,
So onslaught of “Strategic power” defeats such power-plays –

As satan uses to foment dissent among the ranks;
For unexpected rising tide of love beyond the banks
Of what is ho-hum normal life, the dreary side of “good”
So locals then are overwhelmed, and love is understood –

To be enormous in its might – tsunami’s shapeless form,
Until it sweeps ashore with might, before old satan’s warned;
Lord, I’d not seen big picture here, it happens once or twice
A century – like wars, but also rise of “being nice”.

“Ho-hum?” I guess not! Now I see immensity played out –
Like boulder on an eggshell; bird of prey who soars about,
Then smashes down, unseen – disables with its crushing power;
Like boulders in a torrent – love sweeps in within the hour.

Then follow-up to stabilize and grow up Kingdom-life,
Up on the Kingdom-layer, as it fills darkness with the light;
With leaven of love see cultures rise to what in Christ they are;
With salt of Spirit flavoring all life both near and far.

To me, this is immense – far more than I could wish or ask;
Just think – that we can be part of Christ in this huge task;
That love, and all the best in life, can such an impact have;
Delightful is! ’tis winsome – yes! Joy overflows – I laugh!

Thanks Lord for this.

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