Fight?!

Here recently boxing has been getting a lot of negative attention for due to one over-hyped exhibition and another unjust decision in a legit match. They say any attention can be good for the boxing, but this just help affirms what the casual spectator of the sport knew. Boxing is dying and may be dead to coming generation of viewers. Boxing once represented the modern man's gladiator or warrior.  Fighters who once faced opponents in death matches and risk life and limb to bring us entertainment as well as glory and honor to his name.

In the modern context, this generation of boxers may be more interested in lining their pockets opposed having glory and honor attached to their name. If getting money is their number one goal then get the money it is. Our future generation has a different view on what brings glory and honor. Glory and honor are now measured internally and not on others opinions. My sons don't brag as much about who they are and what they have in comparison to others but based on their measure of significance. The goals they set for themselves are more important to them than a goal that's imposed on them. Which isn't that bad however it could leave them lacking a certain level of fight.

Every man at some point has a struggle for approval. The battle to be affirmed and have your efforts recognized is significant in developing a fighting character. Once you have fought that fight, you tend to have an admiration for a champion. Which makes it even more special to watch a sport like boxing and see the someone give their all to be crowned victorious. My fear as a father and as a man is that our next generation may not like boxing because they may not be able to identify with the fight it takes to be a champion.

A champion is someone that has proved that his internal resolve and measure is greater than everyone else's. A real champ starts with overcoming his own goals and then taking that preparation into battle against everyone else. If you know the only one that can beat you is you, then beating anyone else will be a foregone conclusion. But you still have to beat someone, you can't be victorious in your own mind and just leave it there. You need to overcome and win battles with others. In this, you grow stronger and become better.  As a father, you want your children to have a fight in them before they leave your home. You want their success in life to be a foregone conclusion as well. Life is going to hit them in the mouth, but it's great knowing that they are going to get up and knock it out in return.

I grew up loving to watch men beat the snot out of each other, it had its appeal at the time to my generation. But now I could imagine seeing former fighters with no motor skills and no money to show for it, must make it hard to sign up for something like boxing. Most champions of old days are all but forgotten, leaving glory and honor far from their names.  I guess that's why it pays only to try to bring glory and honor to the only name that will outlast all names; Jesus. As a father I want my sons to be fighters because our heavenly father is a fighter and we are made in His image. I want them to look like the mighty God that's always fighting for us, and His victory is too a foregone conclusion.

Today I reflected on who I am as a father and have I shown my kids that I am a champion for God's righteousness in my life. At first thought, I said no I have not shown them the best example but then God reminded me I'm a fighter. All I have to do is fight and fight some more, and He has the final say in this match. I worry if my kids don't have enough fight, and that's wrong, I need to make sure they have enough of the fighter in them. It's the greater in them, that will be greater than anything in the world according to His word.  It's like shadow boxing when you have God cause the enemy cant touch you. It isn't because the enemy isn't real, its cause Jesus fought the fight for you. It's like in the new Rocky movie Creed when Adonis is perfectly fighting Apollo's fight in front of the screen. He knew every move from when to duck down to when and how he jabbed. Creed was aware of those moves because he studied his fathers every move. God showed me all I have to do is study His every move when he was on the way to the cross. When to say nothing when falsely accused, when to sacrifice to show love, how to lay down my life for a friend. Jesus is my champion, and no one will ever take his crown or even contend for a shot at his belts.