“Closing The Sale” (Rom.12:21;1Jn.3:20-21;Jer17:9;Mt.5:43-48;18:15;Lk 17:3;Eph.6:12;1Cor.15:24-28) [Sun Tsu First Half Re-Write #5:4]
I have this friend who’s lost a friend –
It seems it’s common – friendships end
For reasons far beyond reproach,
But where I have no role as coach.Lord, I know You can say, “Clear out!”
“Get out right now!” Leave little doubt
That staying in relationship
Sometimes is toxic, something slipped –Into dynamics we can’t stop;
Sometimes for health-sake we must walk;
But I know I can often stay
In “Grade nine class” beyond the day –When staying would be good – for self
Needs caring for – I think of wealth
Of insights I have gained when You
Said, “Leaving now is good to do.”But that’s so hard for me to do –
Friends don’t come easily – so few
And far between are life-long friends,
So I hang on, when river bends.But here in Sun Tsu, I hear more –
When satan trips us at the door.
Of friendship’s deeper reaches, toil,
It’s time to act – to satan foil.So, here, he says in battles such,
The Orthodox, of prolonged touch,
Ignoring ultimatums given,
And differences ’gainst which we’ve striven –Are brushed aside – we press on in,
Ignoring ways of common sin,
And giving Spirit room to play,
And friendships blessings added days.And then emerges “One more stroke” –
Some gift to give to this old bloke
Who’s drifted off to la-la-land,
And thrown away some friendship’s hand.And that’s “Unorthodox” in-deed;
Goes way beyond what other needs
To have in paltry route ahead –
It overwhelms with care instead.Lord, thanks for ways to open wide
Old friendships folks have brushed aside;
Thanks for endurance, patience, trust
In You – that You’re involved in such.That You see ways to make things right –
Not “Right or wrong”, in satan’s fight,
But “Right and right”, or “Wrong and wrong” –
Tough choices where such strokes belong –If we will not give up, right off;
In grace-full actions Orthodox
Persist – just keep on keeping on,
’Till stroke of love can be our song.For that’s how victories are made –
Unorthodox midst plans quite staged,
Emerge as unexpected stroke,
Which can be given to some poor bloke.For him or her, not just for us –
“You need this” is the gist of such;
I well recall Your gifts to me,
When You, through others, cared in-deed.Advice, I read in Sun Tsu here,
Is really Yours, O Lord, that’s clear;
But part we play in this as well,
As You defeat the powers of hell.Thanks Lord for this.
navigation