A poem for Mark Chapter 1:28-39
Huge need; Big threat; John gone; Town mad;Pulled back; Changed towns; Safe base; Sick lad;Healed boy; Prayed lots; Short raids; Met needs;Soft base; Beach scene; Asked men; Scene reads –
When no strategy appears to fit the case,Time to think it through in prayer, but keep the pace,Of your work with focus clearly on your site,So reality is base and things go right.
Thus commitment to a long-term strategy,Is withheld until a way you clearly see;So strategically you’re “back” not “forward” yet,But with tactics gather info ’till you’re set.
From a newer base set in Capernaum,Jesus traveled round until that work was done;Patience was the way He chose His strategy,So no need to pull back from His enemies.
He could see direct approach to south was bad;Looked at John, His cousin, captured – very sad;First disciples, pairs of brothers into boats –Out on land were more like horses needing oats.
Crowds applauded, sought out healing, helped his fame;Evil spirits heard His voice and out they came;He kept moving, sizing up humongous need;For some time He prayed how best to plant the seed.
That’s amazing – all that time to think it through,Then He saw a way, do four – twelve – seven-two,Just like Amway in our modern way of life –Build some down-lines in the north ’fore southern strife.
That way He could build up Peter and the rest;Mentor how to mentor others, then the rest Could be mentored, as each down-line carried on –Then go south into Jerusalem in song.
Lord, from this I’m hearing, “Strategy hold back,’Till you have a plan in God, and then attack;Keep your tactics forward, build an info-baseSo your strategy, when forward, wins the race.
There’s a purpose for those ad-hock tactics, man –It’s to probe for info, give what help you can;“Know your enemy, yourself, and you will win,All the battles”, Sun Tzu said, “ ’fore you begin”.
Thanks, Lord, for this.