“Don’t Skimp On Messages” [Sun Tzu series Chapter 7 – 13] (Matt.5:13-16; Acts 16:9; Judges Ch.6-8)

With drums and fires the need might be
To minimize for enemy
Their chance to read your mind out there,
And of your plans become aware.

That being said, best not to skimp
On messages to brave and wimp
About said focal point today,
Lest they charge in, or walk away.

When voice and written plan won’t do,
The trick of keeping troops with you –
It’s best you heed what Sun Tzu says –
Use medium which plainly says –

“The point is this – get in get out
Midst darkness, noise, confusion, doubt –
For if you do not win the day,
You’ll for such error surely pay”.

As leadership, it’s up to you
To guide the eyes and ears of crew;
The dark, confusion’s no excuse –
Attend your task, or battle lose.

And if you’re on the field that day,
See signal-man get blown away,
Pick up the flag, shout “Do you see
This banner midst the flares for thee?”

To hoist a flag or tend a fire
Is dangerous; you might desire
To meld into the dark or fray;
Attend your task; help win the day.

For eyes and ears need messages
Which focus keep – for passages
Of text you understood rise up
With influence, when things are tough.

So signals aren’t just for the dumb,
Manipulating minds now numb,
But call from depths truth learned before,
And what it is the battle’s for.

For Gideon, “Marauders halt”;
For Jesus, “World needs light and salt”;
“Now Macedonia”, for Paul;
For us, perhaps some skirmish small.

For we can be that banner, fire,
And influence some group’s desire
To play it safe, or hero be,
As we stand firm for all to see.

We might not hold a weapon fierce,
But rather, let the arrows pierce
Us as we stand on lonely hill;
Say, “Me and Jesus, stand here still.”

Lord, as I go my way today,
Let to me, as banner, others sway;
That eyes and ears sense in the dark,
Or noise of battle, “Do your part”.

Thanks Lord for this.

Navigation