Thanksgiving was spent with my adult children.
A couple of times I caught myself apologizing to them.
Caught, as in, I’m not a big believer in looking back with regret. Caught, as in, it’s not healthy to live with guilt. Caught, as in, life should be lived in the present.
Nonetheless, I digressed.
“If I had it to do over again, I would have made you both take jiu jitsu.” I declared.
Why?
Realizing my kids are out on their own and will soon be having families, I think it was my way of saying, ‘Hey, make sure your kids know how to defend themselves.’
As parents, protecting our kids is our highest calling.
Teaching them to protect themselves is an important first step.
In the martial arts world you’re taught first how to flee.
Run. Don’t fight.
Actually, running is almost never an option.
Life is a fight in every conceivable way. You cannot run from this fight, you might as well embrace it.
You fight to get the girl. You fight to get your education. You fight to get the job. You fight to get promoted. You fight for your rights. You fight for your country. You fight for your beliefs.
There’s a podcast I came across last year called Bards of War. Their tagline is “Fighting is Everything.”
Initially, I disagreed.
After some thought and study, I think it’s absolutely accurate–fighting is everything.
The Bible shines some light: Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities…”
This verse, and many others make it clear, life is a fight.
It’s those who strive to avoid the fight who have the most difficulty in life.
They spend their days avoiding the conflicts.
Avoiding difficult decisions. Avoiding people. Avoiding the gym.
The mindset of a warrior is the only way forward.
Ephesians, chapter 6 gives us some guidance. We’re told to put on the full armor of God.
Belt of truth. Breastplate of righteousness. Helmet of salvation. Sword of the Spirit.
Proper war tools.
Here’s the beauty of God’s way–our only job is to put on the armor, God does the rest.
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