“I have fought the good fight…” (2 Timothy 4:7a NASB)
At the end of the day, I hope you can make Paul’s words above, your words, as it applies to your experiences over the next 24 hours, and really every single day of your life. That’s my hope. You can make it happen, with the help of the Lord. I know you were looking for a “story,” so we will start there.
Do you remember the days when grade school or high school boys, and girls, would pre-announce fights? Those were days when disputes and differences were resolved through pushing, shoving, wrestling your opponent, and sometimes by just dancing, ducking, and defiantly weaving around like professional fighters in the ring who never get close enough to really hit each other, and all the time they were waiting for someone to say, “Break it up!” I know what you are thinking, and I agree with you. The “back in the day” approach, which still could have been resolved through quick reconciliation, it was definitely better than today’s resorting to really serious violence to solve issues or settle minor disputes and differences.
I recall back in the day when boys, and girls, would announce their intention to fight each other after school and even designate the place. I remember those fight announcements, both from an individual and group perspective. Individuals would have an exchange about meeting on the playground after school or at an intersection far enough away from the eyes of the teacher. The word of group fights, communication that caused one to be cautious after school was dismissed, group fights were announced an unknown identified source or the voice of an agitator with such things as, “It’s going to be eastside versus eastside at 3:30 p.m.” (By the way, that’s when I claimed to be from the southside or northside; went home the long way too.) And at one large school in the city, the announcement was circulated across the high school campus, “There is going to be a riot at lunch time on “The Square.” I don’t know about you, but I hated the announcement of fights.
However, to be fair, let be put you on notice today my brothers and my sisters. Take it personal! Today, there’s going to be a fight and you are going to be involved. You may have to fight the persuasion of the comfort of your bed in order to make it to your job, You might have to fight against your obligation to make peace with someone. You might have to fight your thoughts of abandoning your intent to way on the Lord or wait until your change comes! Your fight might be against the tentacles of temptation, enticing you to stop submitting yourself to the Lord, His word, and His ways. Get ready, for there’s going to be a fight! You may have to fight to control your tongue or not to go to bed in your anger at the end of the day. I’m doing the announcement thing, “There’s going to be a fight.” Something, someone, or some past disappointment will try to sadden you or cause you to shift your mental presence to take a trip down memory lane and see your failings of old, even after the Lord has forgiven you and cleansed you. There’s going to be a fight to put into practice the word that you have hid in your heart. Yes, you will be challenged not to sin against God. You are going to have to fight the ways of the world, the desires of the flesh, and our Adversary, the devil! Today? Yes, today! There is going to be a fight! The forces of wickedness will try to control your walk, your talk, and intent on loving one another. I cannot name all that you will have to fight, but there is something or some things and some thoughts that you will have to go up against today. There’ a fight that is unavoidable.
So get ready and realize what you have to do. Are you seriously thinking, “What do I have to do?” Well if you are, read the opening verse again, and then read the closing verses. Be ready, there’s going to be a fight today. But at the end of the day, I am confident that you can celebrate, singing, “Victory is mine!” Have a great Wednesday! Be blessed!
“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11 NASB)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King