Speed (Sun Tzu 2:2) (John 13:27-30)
Beware once action starts, he said,
When off to war the troops are led;
When you do battle; use your troops;
Be swift, or resource-based you’ll lose.Engaging in the fight of war,
The part most people will abhor,
The actual – not schemes and plans –
Costs more than ink in planners’ hands.If it appears you’ll win the whole,
And victory’s the pressing goal,
Main object of a victory
Can be elusive – ways are three:If war drags on and victory
Is long-delayed, and slow to see,
Your weapons blunt of edge will be,
And waning ardor, dulled will flee.Fresh troops are keen, morale is high;
Protracted war brings tired sighs;
With ardor dampened, morale low,
You’ll see enthusiasm go.When troops attack a city’s walls
Which do not yield, so you are stalled,
Their siege of town or citadel
Exhausts their strength extremely well.Campaigns, protracted over time
With troops exposed, the state will find
Resources insufficient to
The strain of war, and funds will lose.Foes can defeat you at the bank,
Then nothing else you’ll have to thank
Than cash – inadequate to task –
It’s best campaigns are finished fast.But sometimes turn and help your foes –
Give them advice, good ways propose;
Like Jesus’ words to Judas – “Quick
Here is your chance – don’t squander it!”
For speed and thought in balance are;
Plan first, so smoothly you’ll go far;
Quick use of your capacity
Avoids drawn-out calamity.Christ knew what Judas was about;
What would transpire, he did not doubt;
“Quick Judas, do not miss your cue,
Though you don’t know what you now do”.So Judas quickly seized the day;
For service he was fully paid;
His war was over in a flash –
Quick action – then he lost to cash.For Jesus took the long-term view;
True enemy he fully knew –
“Don’t shoot at squirrels when hunting bear”
“Of time, in action, be aware”navigation