“Training” (Ephesians 6:14ff; a Moss 5:24; Romans 12:21; Matthew 5:5, 39; 6:11) [Sun Tsu series 10 – 2C]
The training must be broken down
To soldiers having boots on ground;
For even if sub-leader’s good,
Men need to move from “Should” to “Could”But still Tsu says that’s of the top –
A General is more than talk;
The training must be done – farmed out
To those below, with standards stout.What happens if men are not trained?
“Paralysis” translator named
The situation where the lead
Wants to go forth, but must concede –That such would be downfall for all;
Though His command be large or small,
“Collapse”, or “Sinking” in “Distress”,
Are outright “Ineffectiveness”.So “Building up” a fighting force,
Farmed to sub-leadership of course,
Is what Ephesians four’s about,
And Jesus’ teaching – there’s no doubt.To me, the challenge in this task
Of training men, at least in past,
Has been to differentiate
Your “Enemies” for mankind’s sake.Paul says that “Flesh and blood’s not it”
We’d like to help, but often sit
On sidelines – we can’t see the foe,
So after people often go –Yet know that’s not it, in the end;
Folks get sucked in, with satan bend
The best of life to worst there’s been;
Confused most are about unseen.What’s this about, “Turn the other cheek”?
“How blessed indeed are those termed meek”?
“Go second mile”? “Love neighbor too,
Especially when he’s not like you”?Perhaps the clue is “Mid-point” foe,
At fifty-one percent or so –
A crowd is split, one half each way –
Step up – your vote could balance sway.For often battle’s even matched –
Like lynching mob to rustler catch,
Is stopped by Lawman at the door –
“Go home, now men, and do no more”.What’s training-need in that wild case?
Well, “Fortitude”, and “Words of grace”;
“A sense of justice, not just-us”;
And “Death behind, it’s now no bluff”.That’s “Strength”, and “Competence” indeed –
A common soldier’s daily need;
For actions which can turn at tide
Are off-times done in small asides.Sure, speeches stirring our great stuff,
But daily bread, cold water’s cup,
Can turn a tide, unseen, with power;
Which is a soldier’s finest hour.Thanks Lord for this.
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