To Calculate (Sawyer #1) (John 15: 1-16; 1 Cor 2:6-16; 2 Cor.12:7-10)

To calculate’s unorthodox, he says;
That’s not the way I looked at business ways;
I’d thought, “Those books and figures which I hate,
Are orthodox” – so I was always late.

For I am one who prides himself in “style”;
Not orthodoxy – straight-laced, all the while,
I like to be ahead – out in the front;
Not like those other folks I like to trump.

But here is one who says, “Unorthodox
Is calculating” – be more like a fox,
And look before you leap – some other way
May show itself in numbers – raise your pay.

That gives a lot to think about I find –
He calls his calculations first to mind,
And says they’re foremost in the Tao of war,
So last his first – the part which I abhor.

Stupidity’s the index he makes first –
Where is the other leader – best or worst?
Sagacity is found throughout the world,
It’s best to know his level ’fore the swirl.

Then where’s the other team? Where are they strong?
Attacks along that line of course are wrong;
First ascertain the points where they are weak,
Then hit them hard, for victory you seek.

Then count ’em up – how many troops are they?
A few or many? Ask, “How fit today?
Do they outnumber, if so, by how much?
Is there some aspect easier to touch?

A thorough look at land and its defiles –
What obstacles prevent your fighting styles?
Are there some features calling out for use?
What aspect of the place can you now choose?

How well is foe equipped? How long their line?
Can they hold out for long? Make out just fine?
What is their strength of backup on the bench?
Have they supplies enough when they’re entrenched?

The part of this I had not seen till now,
Is knowing this defines not starting row,
But ending it – this guides you to a win,
Once orthodox defines how you begin.

But Sun Tzu says the orthodox is this:
To ascertain where central weakness is,
Then strike with crushing force the smaller size –
That’s not unorthodox, I realize.

I had it backwards – saw analysis
As orthodox – the battle’s genesis;
It’s not – it gives the key to victory –
The icing on the cake, not cake I see.

Sun Tzu’s the one who said unorthodox
Is not the way one off to battle walks,
But how one clears the field once it is seen –
The base is orthodox – has always been.

So keep in mind the evil one is smart;
He sees your weakest point as place to start;
That’s orthodox – he’ll smash there to begin,
Then with some new surprise the battle win.

So analyze; control of victory take;
The lay of land an estimate then make –
Ravines, defiles, the distant and the near –
With that in place then Satan’s way is clear.

“I am the way (the Tao), Christ said one day;
I do all that, for safety in me stay;
Through Scripture, prayer, experience, I speak;
My strength is shown in place where you are weak.

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