“Flexibility” [Reflections on Ralph D. Sawyer's Translation of One Hundred Unorthodox Strategies - Battle Tactics of Chinese Warfare #77-78]
Some folks rush in to hit them fast
As way of doing war – alas
Sometimes that’s not so smart – use siege
If casualties on field you’d leave.Or if you know they’re low on grub,
Kick back a bit and have a bud;
Let hunger make them think again;
Let ardor and their c’hi both wain.That is, what works time and again
Sometimes is best thought through, lest pain
Excessive be, troops needlessly
Be killed so you can “Big man” be.What I hear in this set is this –
You must your arrogance resist;
It’s not about you, it’s the goal,
So wind ’er back, use self-control.Lord, as I flip this all around
To love’s attack on evil ground,
I’m hearing – stay in You, and hear
What’s best to win, Your way, right here.I’ve been there, rushing in, “Big man”,
And getting smashed – a task I can
Accomplish with so little thought –
You’d think I’d learn – but I think not.Lord, pride at any rank this is
A problem for, in Kingdom biz;
Thanks for heads-up to watch our ‘Selves’,
Lest needlessly in trouble dwell.For love, like war, is dangerous;
The folks, like us, are treacherous;
We’re not immune to silly acts,
Which foolish are – ignoring facts.Lord, help me as I press on through
Each situation, hearing new
Approaches – like when crafting plots
In novels – show me what I ought –To use to best address some scene
That next emerges – show what’s been
Upon your mind as we approach
The target, lifting off some yoke –Thus setting free, in Jubilee –
That each can feel alive in Thee;
No longer blocked by evil’s ways;
Freed up to be in You each day.Thanks Lord for this.
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