“Degrees” [Sun Tzu #9 – 13-15] (Luke 4; 13:34; Matthew 11:23; 8:32-34)

There are degrees of problem-sets –
Like famine-hunger, when folks get
A thought or two ’bout suppertime,
Or lean on weapons all the time.

“Could use a drink”, is part of life,
But driving thirst means they alight
From water-wagons, drinking first,
Then hauling water – troops fare worse.

A huge advantage, chance forgone
Not just a bit, where it’s quite wrong
To get distracted from one’s goal,
Means they are weary – body, soul.

When flocks of birds all gather ’round,
Not one or two, scraps on the ground
In camps abandoned winsome are,
Means enemy has now gone far.

When men are calling through the night,
Not once or twice, you’d be quite right
Assuming fear rips through that camp,
And ardor there is now quite damp.

Unsettled and disorderly
Quite turbulent and plain to see
If it’s disturbed – the leadership
Has lost control, its balance tipped.

If flags, and banners, signals shift,
And pennant-standards lean a bit,
There is confusion, turbulence,
Sedition’s brewing in their fence.

So not just “Type” but it’s “Degree
Must factor into what you see
And hear – is it widespread, or not?
Stand back, and give a second thought.

Whole towns, like Salem, in Your day,
Capernaum, Nazareth – you’d say
Were caught up in their spirit, then,
Each person added to the blend.

So think about the groups as well –
Not just one person going to hell,
Or living in that context now;
For group-dynamics, thought allow.

Thanks Lord for this.

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