Combat is a popular metaphor for describing any kind of conflict in life, whether physical or not. So, we may\u00a0wrestle<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0with our consciences as we\u00a0get to grips<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0with a problem. We often don\u2019t realise we are borrowing grappling imagery as we try to gain the\u00a0upper hand<\/em><\/strong>, and get\u00a0on top<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0of the situation. Persuasion can be\u00a0arm-twisting<\/em><\/strong> until the awful truth suddenly\u00a0hits<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From wrestling to the boxing ring: we may have to\u00a0take it on the chin,\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>even though we can\u00a0punch above our weight<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0box clever<\/em><\/strong>. In life, we might be dealt a\u00a0severe blow<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0or deem an unkind remark to be\u00a0below the belt<\/em><\/strong>. We are\u00a0on the ropes<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0or even\u00a0out for the count<\/em><\/strong>. We are\u00a0floored<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0by an awkward question or\u00a0knocked out<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0by a beautiful sunset. That same sunset may\u00a0bring us to our knees.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0If we are not\u00a0saved by the bell<\/em><\/strong>, we may be forced to\u00a0throw in the towel<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n We may be thrown<\/em><\/strong> by an unexpected question, or caught on the back foot<\/em><\/strong>, and find ourselves fighting for our lives<\/em><\/strong>. We understand that young couples fall<\/em><\/strong> for each other, and if we don\u2019t approve of the relationship, we may find ourselves saying things like: \u201cshe has a terrible hold<\/em><\/strong> on him.\u201d So-and-so may be a scholarly heavyweight<\/em><\/strong>, but he is a social lightweight<\/em><\/strong>, and so on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As Mark Law rightly says in his brilliant judo book, \u2018The Pyjama Game\u2019: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018Sport may be a metaphor for the fight; the fight is a metaphor for life.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n Life is a fight, until our dying day! But, as men of God, we are warriors, built for the fight. We know that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities and powers of this dark age. Sometimes, we just have to realise we are involved in a scrap, roll our sleeves up and get stuck in. Today, why not spend a few moments reflecting on how you can hit harder, move faster, think smarter than your opponent (remember he is unseen, but nonetheless real) in any given area \u2013 and beat that sucker into submission! Go toe to toe with him, look him in the eye and give him all you\u2019ve got. Wrestle, grapple, kick, punch, throw, strangle, choke, use your elbow if necessary, or your head! He doesn\u2019t play by the rules, so we need to be ready for anything and keep all our options open. Above all, know that you are not alone in this fight, all of heaven behind you, with all its resources at your disposal, and Jesus has already won the victory anyway \u2013 through his death on the Cross. We just get to be involved in the fight before the final victory at the end of time when Jesus wraps everything up. Now that\u2019s a fight I want to be involved in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have fought the good\u00a0fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>2 Timothy 4:7<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Image Credit: Arisa Chattasa<\/a><\/p>\nApplication to life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n