“Persistence” (Heb.2:7; 1Cor 12:21; 2 Tim.3:10; Eph.5:18) [Reflections on Ralph D. Sawyer's Translation of One Hundred Unorthodox Strategies - Battle Tactics of Chinese Warfare # 21-22B – #2/10]
We hasty types impatient are,
For time is short, we flaunt our scars;
Like fools, rush in where angels wait,
They fear to tread, so hesitate.Persistence wears impatience down;
We’re powerless, here on the ground,
For we have shot our wad again;
Defenseless, we’ve ourselves to blame.Decisiveness has use, of course,
But best it’s done based on resource;
So often it is used instead
Of preparations, for we’re fed –A line of “Home by Christmas, dear”
Which masks what is to others clear –
You’re unprepared; you’ve got no stairs
To ease your climb – as off you tear.Persistence plays the long-term game;
Results of this are not the same
As being hasty at first sign
Of trouble, crossing boundary-line.So evil-one can wait – no rush;
“Flash in the pan”; knows at first blush
It looks like it’s “Quick fix”, “With ease”
“Give your best shot”; “Do as you please”.And when you’re ammo is all spent,
Your energy to nothing went,
I can do what I please – like Britts –
Once Luftwaffe’s gone, the axis sits –Alone like duck upon a pond –
They tried to make atomic bomb;
Too little and too late they were;
When Yanks joined in it was a blur.There was a case – they were prepared,
But still they lost, no better fared
Than one inpatient, hasty type –
Both unprepared for long-term fight.That says to me how big this is –
“War of the ages” – “Jesus’ biz”;
For evil to be conquered thus,
Is long-term game, with role for us.But at the first, “Impetuous”
Are out the gate – looks good to us,
But in their race, burn out to fast,
That’s good – but balanced-body lasts.Thanks Lord for this.
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