Fight Another Day
As children, our family friends had a basement, boxing gloves, and all boys. Needless to say, this was a ruthless combination. As our parents would sit around the table upstairs playing cards into the night, the boys would give our best impressions of Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvelous Marvin Hagler. It would start out in fun but inevitably end up in a real fight with bloody noses. I don’t know what it is about boys that always want to wrestle, tussle, and expend pent-up aggression. Yet another reminder that God wired us uniquely, I suppose. The point is this, if you spend a few minutes boxing or wrestling, you realize how tiring it can be. For comparison’s sake, one might burn 500+ calories running in an hour. Conversely, one will burn 1200+ calories boxing in an hour.
This may be why the writer of Hebrews used a fighting, or boxing, analogy in Hebrews 12:12. As we pursue Christ and holiness, we will get tired. This is the motivating example of Hebrews 11. Don’t quit. Don’t give up, even when you are tired. Sure your knees may be weak. Sure your hands might drop. Know that you are more susceptible to attack, but you can’t quit.
Transferring this analogy to real life, I must confess that at times I am weak, tired, and weary. Even when thoughts of throwing in the towel enter our minds, we must be aware that the fight is worth it. As inspiring as the mission may be, when we are weak the tendency to give in to temptation increases. The likelihood of isolation increases. The attacks from the Enemy have more impact. During these seasons the temptation to separate and insulate our heart will increase, but we must push against that tendency and lean into the body of Christ more and more.
As we read further in Hebrews 12, we see in verses 14-17 that “one another” matters more than ever! We are on a mission together and we must lean into relationships. We must guard one another and not allow others to fail!
As you process this truth today, assess where you are in your journey. If you are weak and tired, confess that to a brother or sister and seek encouragement. If you are feeling a need to isolate yourself, exercise discipline and go to a group or initiate a coffee gathering. Don’t wait on others. You need fellowship!
Let’s pursue Christ together as we walk in holiness for His glory with second wind faith!
