“Spoiled Brats” [Sun Tsu series 10 – 6]

The nickname used of army kids both on and off the base,
Is “Army brats”, (third-culture-kids, more accurate at the case);
Sun Tsu says soldiers are like that, must deal with them as sons –
Beloved, yet because of that, must rein in everyone.

Without a proper discipline and structure of command,
In no time they unruly get and soon get out of hand;
Be nice to them, indulge their want, treat kindly and too well,
And they will soon quite useless be, and make your life pure hell.

So care for them, kindhearted be, and love each step of life;
Be casual in chaos, in disorder let them fight,
And you will not control them, they’ll ignore your best commands;
They’re useless as spoiled children for your purpose in the land.

So balance out the discipline with love, respect, and force,
Or mighty men take off on you, use power in due course;
It is not fair to turn them loose like animals gone wild,
So treat them as beloved kids, as you would do your child.

Lord, what I’m hearing is that force embodied in your ranks,
Is not so much a problem ’till it’s harnessed – then the cranks
Come to the surface, make their bid for power to perform
Whatever acts they wish to do, far out beyond the norm.

In Scripture you have made this clear – “God disciplines his kids”,
And “Enter Kingdom-layer as kids, as such our Father bids
Us to conform unto his will, his bidding to perform,
And share with all, His love through you – if you rebel, be warned –

“This is not namby-pamby land, where evil one has sway –
I’m on the warpath to put down God’s enemies today;
If you don’t want to join in body-life to do this task,
Then don’t; the doors right over there, through which old Adam passed.”

So Lord, I’m hearing life’s a mix, and trouble common is;
If we of Your solution take, this is the Kingdom’s biz;
But serious You are in this, the choice we have is clear –
Defeating evil, all its forms, for that all can come near.

Lord, thanks for all this insight which You’ve opened up today;
Thanks for the structured vision which You’ve laid out as the way;
Thanks for inviting us to join Your body-life for this,
And structured ways for us to safely have eternal bliss.

Thanks Lord for this.

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