"Getting Them Out Of Barracks" [Reflections On Sun Tsu's Art Of War Chapter 7 #2] (Matt.28:5-6; Luke 13:31-33; John 3:22-36; Romans 8:28-39; ICor.13:3-13; Eccl.3:1-7)
If getting out of bed is hard,
Then out the door, and through the yard,
Then multiply that effort, task,
By many men, and I then ask –Is that not hardest part for you
As General, in what you do?
For getting there to be arrayed
For fight, leaves lesser men dismayed.“Manipulate”, “maneuver” – words
About this task are often heard,
For it’s not sunny, mild, and bright,
As scene to which you troops invite.But to the struggle which few want,
And armed contention at the front;
For once advantage has been seized,
Then victory one often sees.The tough part (once they’re on the road)
Is getting there – not as you go,
But as you’ll seem to other side –
Reality is what you hide.Take devious and crooked route,
Circuitous, long, like a brook
Which wanders crooked as can be –
And make it short, direct – you’ll see –So many options open up –
Advantages, which, sure enough
The other side thinks crooked still
As you encroach upon their will.The gains you make – you’ll get there first –
Give you the edge, avoid their worst,
So problems, disadvantage shifts;
Adversity, misfortune missed –Are turned into advantage now;
Their loss, your gain, as you’re allowed
To surge ahead and seize the day,
While they’re asleep upon the hay.They struggle too with reveille,
And try to shorten lengths they see;
To straighten crooked; get there first;
Just one succeeds, for one it’s worse.In prayer, God helps us stand back, see
Another way to victory;
All things for good are folded in,
Though darkly seen, new ways begin –To open up; dead come to life;
What’s lost is gained through darkest night;
Though we retreat in others’ eyes
Reality is other-wise.Thanks Lord for this.
navigation