Ready for a fight!

I must confess. I got in a few fights in my younger years. Like most guys they were territorial disputes. I enjoy watching a hockey fight, baseball brawl, and even some of the MMA fights. For some weird reason I have always enjoyed professional wrestling. These are the images that first come to mind when we think about fights. We envision two people, usually powerful strong guys, exchanging blows until one gets the upper hand. We see professional wrestlers act this out in a choreographed routine making ballet dancers jealous with their ability to leap and jump with utmost precision.

There is a larger fight going on that we tend to overlook. We overlook it not because we are unaware of it. We see the casualties everyday. We see those who once followed Jesus walking away, burned out, tired, hurt, and alone. We see those who were once passionate about learning the ways of Jesus content with just living. We see people excited as they begin to realize what it means to follow Jesus only to decide the cost are too high. We see once stable marriages crash. We see families torn apart by what seems to be irrational behavior.

Last night I was thrown for somewhat of a surprise as I watched the spiritual battle unfold in front of my eyes and take on flesh. I am aware of the battle going on but this time I could see it develop and fleshed out in front of me. A new believer was worshipping as two of her friends began to heckle her. It continued to the point she broke. She had to leave the room in tears. The overprotective side of me wanted to shield her from this and say this never happens but the other side of me saw this as a growing point in her life. This battle goes on daily and we over look it. The urge is to give in to what feels natural. The desire to fight is not always there.

I hope we become aware of the battle going on around us.