WARRIOR

My last two posts HONOR and LEGACY were perfect segues to today’s post about being a WARRIOR.  According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary online, the definition of Warrior is:

         a man engaged or experienced in warfare;

         broadly: a person engaged in some struggle or conflict.

As a Christian man, I know what it means to struggle or be in a conflict.  Every day, I struggle with my old self.  I remember what I was like before I was born again.  I know the commitment I made to God when he saved me.  I know that fighting the good fight is an honorable act and I know that fighting for my legacy is worth fighting for… even dying for.

As Christians, we are at war every day.  Society is watching us and they are waiting for us to fail.  They want to point out our faults to us.  They want to post them on Facebook and mock us.  Regardless of our faults, we STAND and rise again. 

When we fail, we must forgive ourselves.  Jesus has already died for every possible sin we could ever commit, yet many of us get lost in our past and we think it dictates our future.  Well I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t.  We all will face a battle someday.  Some of us will face more than others.  Regardless, it doesn’t mean you have to lose the war.  It’s time for Christian men to RISE… to lead themselves… their families… their co-workers… their communities. 

I’m not sure who said this first, but the following quote is one that I think of often: “Until you put your life into the context of war, you will miss 95% of what happens to you.”

Last night I had the pleasure of watching the movie, Warrior, directed by Gavin O’Connor.  It’s about two men that have come through some rough family battles and are deeply scared.  Through their journey of life, they both end up in an MMA tournament fighting each other in the finals.  The twist is that they are brothers.  There are some great themes to the movie like bravery, adversity, tenacity and more.

There are also some great lines and scenes.  One of my favorites was…

Coach says to fighter, “You can do this.  Now let me hear you say it.”

Fighter says to coach, “I can do this.”

Fighter’s shirt in tournament says, SIMPLY BELIEVE.

Half of the battles that we fight are in our minds.  We battle guilt, doubt, uncertainty and other voices from messages spoken over us by parents, teachers and family & so-called friends.  Well, I’m here to tell you that God is speaking to you NOW.  He wants you to hear you say, “I can do this.” 

He wants you to BELIEVE in Him.  While belief is important, faith without action is dead.  God needs you to put on your wraps, put on your gloves, train hard, be prepared for battle and have faith that you will have victory.  When He sees that commitment to you he will show you great works in your life. 

Now it’s up to you decide what is worth fighting for.  Are you struggling at work?  Are you estranged for your children?  Are you divorced?  Are you overcoming some sort of addiction?  Are you alone? 

Well, here is the good news.  There are other men out there that will STAND with you… men that will teach you, support you and lift you up.  They will be there with you even when the fight is hard (and it will be).  All you need to do is make the commitment to fight the good fight and then CONNECT.

When I think of some of the greatest warriors on the planet, I realize that even they didn’t do it alone.  Someone had to teach them their skill.  We can learn new attitudes and skills to implement into our lives.  Being around the right people (ALIGNMENT) is key, so make sure to connect with other godly men regularly.  If you have other friends that are choosing a different lifestyle, then pace yourself in the times you choose to be around them.  Consider servant leading, attending a bible study group or home team.  If you aren’t doing these things yet, then commit to it for 2012.  If you can, do all three.  There is real power in combining these aspects of connection and I know they can change your life for the better.  If you are not attending a church yet, then I invite you to mine Elevate Life Church in Frisco, TX.  If you want to understand what it takes to be a warrior, then give our church a year.  I promise you will get it by then.

I wish you a great 2012 that includes personal growth and development and solid relationship with other like-minded men.

In your corner,

John R. Vakidis

PS - if you haven’t seen the movie, Warrior, yet, then I highly recommend picking it up at Blockbuster to inspire you for the coming year.  Click here to watch a trailer on YouTube.