“On Tools And Toys” (1Cor.15:24-28; Jn.15: Eph 6:10-20) [Reflections on Ralph D. Sawyer's Translation of One Hundred Unorthodox Strategies - Battle Tactics of Chinese Warfare #57-58]

The arrogance of victory atop the pecking chain,
Is only part of trouble in extended warfare game;
For soldiers of the rank-and-file get into tools and toys,
And brag about their shiners, for indeed boys will be boys”.

As teens with conquest on their minds will brag about their wheels;
And girls with beauty’s potency will dress to make them squeal;
The ladies know, as “Trophy wives” or those more into “Pots”,
Can be a pain to those around, until heartbreak they’ve got.

It hits us all, we think it’s “Us” – “Look on my works, despair”
But Lord, I’m hearing, “Not so fast, it’s more complex out there –
Rewards and punishments are strong, and tactics now must change,
With leader now in danger zone, it’s time to rearrange –

Your outfit, now your playbook’s known, prepare, the job’s not done;
For win or lose, the fight goes on, don’t think because you’ve won
This round it’s over, it’s a lull, be vigilant indeed;
Complacency means death to you, the led, or if you lead.

One guy said mood goes up and down, so do what e’er you can
To utilize the strength you’ve got, to get prepared and plan;
For win or lose, it’s dangerous once forces disengage;
Keep focus on the road ahead, and turn another page.

Two thousand years you’ve been involved, Lord Jesus, in this way;
You have invited us to join, to bring on Victor’s day;
So what I hear within his words is, “satan does this, Stu,
He’s not so stupid, nor am I – so watch your P’s and Q’s.

I think of Charlie, Prof. we had, who said the same to us –
“If first two situations do not stir up quite a fuss,
We’ll useless be until we die, a loss or two is good –
For then you’ll know the issues, future needs are understood.

Lord, business-finance is like that, as well, for I have been
On losing side so many times that I am less than keen
To get involved – my problems came from inside more than out,
Which made me more aware of team, and unity to doubt.

Which led me to awareness of Your view – through Paul I read
Of larger picture than I had, for Paul in Scripture said –
The battle’s not with flesh and blood, salvation’s what folks need;
But principalities and powers – in attitudes we see –

For spirits (we deny exist) are at the root of this –
Contagious to us, one and all, we find we can’t resist;
So get bogged down until we’re saved from silly attitudes,
Then You invite us to engage in all the things we do –

At Your direction – we’re affront to all of satan’s ways –
Like Ivan said, “We plant our flag on hill, where Satan plays,
And say, “It’s me and Jesus here, we do not live that way;
Do what you will, for I am dead, to twisted rules you play”.

So, win or lose, this round or that, there’ll be another round,
Until the world comes to an end, in Christ we can be found;
No need for arrogance or pride in “What a gem I am”,
For You, O Lord, lead on again – in You I am Your man.

Thanks Lord for this.

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