“Outliers” [Sun Tzu series Chapter 7 – #12]  (John 17:20-23; 19:12-16; Matthew 24:9-14)

There is a rule called “unity”
Which let’s folks use such folks as me;
They don’t control the single man
But work the group – few can withstand –

The social tide of unity –
“The thin blue line” it seems to me
Is term; though “Bead-work curtain” works
Cross-culture’s way with social smirks.

And how is unity prepared,
Corralling brave and those so scared?
Why, focusing on tiny goals
Within the larger picture’s whole.

Get eyes and ears to focus there,
The group itself will show its care
For one another, drawing in
Outliers, once the fight begins.

For there’s a shift that sweeps a group
While war is on, “We’re in this soup –
So tow the line, and suck it up;
Without your help, we’re out of luck”.

Besides that, viciousness appears,
Gets stronger as the battle nears;
When war is over, it subsides,
But in the group that war-fang hides.

So force within, and force without,
Brings unity – what war’s about;
“Objective”; “Focus” – words whip up;
In noise of battle that his tough –

So flags and banners, drums and gongs,
Keep focus; carry troops along;
Outliers come to heal always,
Until they’ve won or lost the day.

When I think back on battles fought,
The words and music we were taught,
Book-title comes, My Growing up
 Dumb under Union Jack, was tough –

For those at bottom of the heap
(for upper echelons, ’twas sweet)
Were held within such unity;
The focus? “Common enemy”.

Lord, I’d not seen that up ’till now –
We need the focus which allows
Small clique tight hold on power’s reins –
Outliers play their Master’s games.

But You, O Lord, outlier were;
You scoffed at group; did not say “sir”
To jerks who forced their unity;
But went Your way – set people free.

At end they clipped Your wings (they thought);
Then from that tomb You rose and walked;
“I walk through walls” – “If I’m in you
Wall-walking is a trick you’ll do.”

Lord, that’s so cool – “Watch focal points
Lest you some Hitler-type anoint
As “Leader of endangered world”,
Then join the rest on pinwheel’s swirl.

Lord, You prayed unity for man,
Not as above, but, as You can
Enable on Your Kingdom-layer –
So we can live out Kingdom’s prayer.

Thanks Lord for this.

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