It’s a typical Hollywood fight scene. Good versus evil. Hook after hook, our hero gets pummeled and abused, but he hangs on. The fight continues. The strength of the iron fists jar the very skeleton of our champion.
He is hanging over the ropes, using their flimsy support until he can face another round of ruthless attacks. He falls. Vaguely able to distinguish the cries of encouragement of the coaches from the pounding in his head, he staggers to his feet. Only to be beaten down again.
The smug look on the villain's face tells us he will stop at nothing. His goal, his plan, will prevail. His desire is to finish off our hero. Pound him to the ground until there is nothing left.
And then something happens. “Rocky” fights back. Not just fights with his body, his skill and technique. But he fights with his very soul. And there is nothing that will stop him. Not even a bloodied-Frankenstien-look-alike-Russian-boy. Nothing.
Well, I feel a little bit like Rocky Balboa.
Of course, I am not quite as fit as him and I don’t drink raw eggs for breakfast… but, I can relate on a very emotional level to his desperate attempt to stay on his feet while being raked into the ground.
And you know what? I am ready to fight back.
With regards to this, three scriptures/thoughts keep replaying in mind…
In 1 Peter, chapter 5 verse 8 it says: “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
I am pretty sure that the adversary, or the devil, has a few little “evil Russian-lions” fixed on me and my family right now -- immediate and extended. Their eyes are set, their smugness mocks our pain. They pace and prowl around, looking for our next sign of weakness. At the ready to defile our peace -- my peace.
In 2 Kings, chapter 6 verse 16 Elisha tells his servant: “Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”
I am also convinced that while Satan may have his legions upon us, they are nothing compared to the legions that our Heavenly Father has set over us, to watch us. I know that those very real legions, that are there to protect me, to strengthen me, offer support and peace, are far, far more than the “evil Russians” symbolically trying to knock me down.
Eventually the fight will be over. We all have our own different ways we will get through it. We all have our ideas. For me, it is pretty basic, “Sunday School” answers. And which ever way we choose to fight back, it will be tough. But someday the fight will be finished – and I hope to win.
Finally, the last thought that comforts me is found in Revelation, chapter 21 verse 4: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
What an amazing promise!
There will be no more death, sorrow, crying, pain… All those painful things people I love are too familiar with. Gone. And our sweet Heavenly Father? He will wipe our tears from our face – what an intimate, tender expression of love. And, I imagine, He will hold us again in His arms.
And that, my dear friends & family, is what I am fighting for.
What is it you are fighting for?
(image here)
3 comments:
I so needed that! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I love those scriptures, and I think I will just have to copy this and save it to read it later. You are awesome, and you are right, Heavenly Father's legions are watching over us.
Lately my theme is
GET YOUR GAME FACE ON BABY!
I have been struggling too, and just decided to get back in the Game of Life.
Good luck to you dear friend. We will make this.
Peace.
I hope you get some soon.
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