“Just keep shakin’ that bush so we know you’re there. Just keep shakin’ that bush”. Shakin the bush ( Shakin it here boss ) was the distraction Paul Newman used in the movie, Cool Hand Luke. Newman’s character used a distraction to help him escape from prison. A distraction is a diversion that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else. Have you noticed an avalanche of distractions the past few weeks?
Sun Tzu was a Chinese military strategist, Taoist philosopher, and general in the 6th century BC who is widely recognized for his work The Art of War, a treatise on military strategy. Sun Tzu taught that all warfare is based on deception. He believed the secret in winning a war was to confuse the enemy. When the enemy is distracted and confused they aren’t able to understand the real intent behind what is happening. Can you relate?
2000 years ago during the middle of the day, history records a series of events that were distracting as well. ‘From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.’ Matthew 27:45. ‘…the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.’ Matthew 27:51-53. Something happened but not everyone would understand and learn about it until later.
The headlines in 33 AD would have read about an eclipse, an earthquake, a holy place being vandalized and numerous reports of zombies walking around the city. These were natural phenomena and miraculous happenings regardless of how you try to explain it away. Today is different.
In 2020 we see the steepest drop in the history of the stock market…the fear of Covid-19…travel restrictions near and abroad…entire countries being closed…social distancing resulting in bans on gathering and seclusion. These are man made happenings and distractions. This may be a ‘Pearl Harbor’ moment and the result of something we don’t know about or haven’t seen, yet. We do know there is a lot of deception about the truth behind the statistics and headlines.
Whenever you have chaos and crisis there is opportunity. Chaos can be defined as unpredictable behavior, disorder and confusion. You may not relate to the word chaos, but it’s not a stretch to see the struggle, disorder and confusion in the world. The Word I use to try and understand the headlines teaches ‘..our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.’ Ephesians 6:12.
Rulers, authorities and powers in this world claim to be acting altruistically to save lives. The results look more like economic death, restriction of freedoms and control of lives. In comparison, ‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ John 3:16. The Kingdom of Heaven gives life. The kingdom of this world is promoting fear, relational and economic death.
Deceit is when the facts are misrepresented and concealed. The World Health Organization (WHO) had a $500 million financial motive behind declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic (Deception Pays). The impeachment aftermath proved lies and deception were the foundation of the case to impeach the President (Impeachment Collapses For Lack of Foundation) We do live in a world at war against many foes. All war is based on deception and the real enemy often stays behind the curtain.
Douglas MacArthur was possibly ‘America’s greatest soldier’ and one of only 5 five-star generals in history. MacArthur preached ‘in war there is no substitute for victory.’ Yet, the greatest military leaders in history never believed the ends justify the means to achieve victory. Those who believe in doing whatever it takes tend to be socialists, communists and politicians with ulterior motives.
There are some willing to do and say whatever it takes to win the war against Covid-19, regardless of the consequences. According to mortality rates, more people have died from heart disease and cancer in the same time period we have been fighting Covid-19 ( Mortality Rate is 3.4% ). Why is there not a similar jihad against a greater known killer? Is coronavirus a greater threat or a greater distraction? I’m not sure.
Jesus tries to keep us focused by describing the real enemy as a thief. ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.’ John 10:10. The actions made in the war against Covid-19 are stealing individual freedoms, killing businesses that support families and destroying jobs and national economies. The resulting fear and loathing people have today is real. The collateral damage in this war will leave scars and lasting changes. This is definitely a life-or-death fight to the finish…but a fight for what?
‘ “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more…fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” ‘ Luke 12:4-5. The deception is that your way of life and economic security depends on governments and political leaders instead of God. Watch who is ‘shakin the bush’ to discern their underlying motives. The battle is for your mind.
In a time of war, the role of deception for the strategist is to show something the enemy wishes to see and believe, but to do it in a way that creates a false impression, thus deceiving himself. There are many good people with good intentions and good hearts. There are also many pretending to be righteous. Remember, ‘…Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.’ 2 Cor. 11:14-15.
The bush is definitely being shaken to deceive and confuse. ‘Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…’ 1 Peter 5:8-9. KNOW where and with whom you have faith. Don’t put your faith in anything or anyone before or instead of the One who created it all.
The truth is ‘There will be terrible times in the last days. people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive…without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control…Have nothing to do with such people.’ 2nd Timothy 3:1-5.
Shakin it here, boss. Shakin it.