WRESTLING

Ephesians 6:12 – For we are not WRESTLING with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

My eighth grade son was just recently on a wrestling team which has given me a new definition of the term. I don’t know if you have ever witnessed a middle school wrestling team in action but it is a thing to behold. There are youngsters in the 90 pound weight class and giant hulks in the 190 pounds weight class. These half dressed, sweaty, angry, Lord of the Flies teens are disturbing at best and downright terrifying at worse.

They skulk out against their opponent with shear intimidating terror on their faces. Then they proceed to circle one another in an attempt to locate the greatest spot of weakness in which to initiate their strike. After the first strike is made the battle is on, whether the other opponent is ready or not. It is a grizzly, grunting, gruesome sport to watch. It’s unlike basketball, football, or soccer where you have the team to turn to in moments of weakness. Wrestling is strictly one on one, to the death (well, that’s a bit of an exaggeration).

But what is not an exaggeration is the desire of your enemy. He has no other purpose but to steal from you, kill you, and destroy you and all that you hold dear. He too comes out against you one on one, encircling your life, looking for weak spots, and then pouncing unmercilessly.

The sixth chapter of Ephesians is dedicated to this spiritual warfare, our adversary, and our only chance of survival. We are commanded to put on the whole armor of God which includes the shield of faith, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, and the shoes of peace. My favorite piece of armor is the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. This is our only offensive piece of battle equipment. With the word of God (his promises and his commandments) we are able to cut our enemy down to size.

Most Christians unfortunately fail to follow through with the donning of the armor, either out of ignorance, stubbornness, disobedience, or just plain apathy. Going back to the middle school wrestling match analogy, what kind of a fool would just stand there and let their opponent pummel them? Would they cower in fear and claim they were a victim? Would they run in terror and confusion and hide their head in the sand? I can describe these scenarios because I know them well. I also know that empowered with the spirit of the Living God and with all the resources He has provided us for our Victory, we CAN have an undefeated season against our enemy!

TRUST

1 Corinthians 1:9 - God is faithful (reliable, TRUSTworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on).

March is a very unpredictable month. Spring has sprung yet the weather can't quite make up its mind. There can be frost warnings at night while we don shorts during the day. I've changed clothes three times in one day, and not because I was a diva on tour. How can one month be so uncertain? We don't like uncertainty, do we? Certainly not! No one likes being caught off guard. Sorry March, but I just can't trust you.

But then again, who can we trust? I used to think that I could trust my parents, my spouse, myself. After all, aren't these the most important relationships we'll ever experience in a lifetime? It all begins at childhood. That word alone brings a smile to some and visions of horror to others. Same holds true for the next word – marriage. Why is this? Is it because we are all, and I do mean all, human and fallible? The longer you live the clearer this truth will become. "For we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23.

There is only One who can be trusted, who will never fail us, who is faithful, and who keeps his promises. Someone who won't catch us off guard or leave us cold and alone. We may know this truth in our heads, but only when we totally believe it with our hearts will we begin to rise each day with a new song, knowing that our Creator and Savior is always there and always will be. No more doubts, fears, or worries.

And don't you think He designed it that way?! Think with me for a moment. If there were just one human being on this planet, one month on the calendar, one pill on the shelf that could be trusted infallibly, wouldn't we worship it instead? There is ONLY ONE who can be trusted and that is our Creator and Sustainer. The day you surrender to that One will be your Independence Day.