“The Scotland Tour” (1 Peter 5:8; judges six; 1 Samuel 17; Proverbs 3:5-8) [Sun Tzu series 8-5]
On Scotland tour some years ago,
Our guide said, “We’re about to go
By place where ancient tragedy
Took place with hospitality.It seems the winter days were harsh;
Some travelers had all embarked
On journey through another’s land;
So asked if they could lend a hand –One night of lodging, shelter from
The weather’s harshness, for they’d come
A distance, and where freezing cold,
And hospitality was old –Tradition in those harsher climes;
“Why yes, come in, bed down, that’s fine”;
But in the night they all rose up
And slew their hosts – quite nasty stuff.Sun Tzu said, that’s an old trick, man –
Do not assume so much – you can
Avoid such nastiness, perchance,
If you stand back, take second glance –First, you did not expect they’d come
In nasty weather, not much fun;
They did; called hospitality
To be the rule that winter’s day.Then, you assumed they’d not attack,
So after supper, hit the sack;
They struck on signal, most were slain,
The others fled from where they’d lain.They were not ready to receive,
To play the host to enemies;
Had no resource in readiness;
Gave message of their helplessness.All social rules are flexible –
The enemy, who has the will
To strike, will play on nicer side,
While in their cloaks they weapons hide.Had they not trusted guests that night,
But rather, prepped for skulking fight,
Force would have met its match forthwith,
And that would be the end of it.The evil one just will not say,
“On guard”, but rather takes the way
Of treachery – Christ said, “Beware –
A roaring lion wonders there.”To trust in people silly is –
Best trust in God for daily biz;
And love your neighbor – work for him;
Both good and bad are mired in sin.Thanks Lord for this.
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