What’s This? A New Blog?!

Hey guys!!!! First off, let me apologize profusely (yup, big word, look it up) for getting behind on my blogs. I enjoy getting to write a little blurb that allows me to get stuff off my chest (or out of my heart) and hopefully you will get something out of it too!!! So without any further ado….

I am not sure if any of you guys had an opportunity to watch the UFC Pay Per View this past Saturday, and I am not sure if you are even into UFC, but I personally find it extremely entertaining. Now, before you begin to think of me as a sick and twisted person who delights in seeing others literally get pummeled to a bloody pulp, give me a second to explain. Growing up, I was never really in fights because I was always the big kid. I never really had to defend myself by using my hands, and for the most part I am very proud of that fact. I would never recommend fighting, and while self-defense can be necessary, I find that 95% of most fights can be prevented using a little common sense.

Anywho,  because I never really gotten into any fights throughout my life, I think to a certain extent I find myself living vicariously through these guys that step into the dreaded Octogon and fight for a seemingly meaningless title belt and bragging rights. There is just something about the dedication that it takes to become an ultimate fighter that gets to me. The blood, sweat and tears that one endures to eventually reach that level of toughness is what really interests me. I have always wanted to be completely pushed to my limits only to fight through the adversity and come away victorious. I think it is incredible to see a man get punched in the face to the point they can no longer see, only to come back months later and go through the same thing! What causes a person to do this?

The more I have thought of this, the easier it was for me to come to this answer: There is something inside of these fighters that makes everything they go through worth it. The broken limbs, the missing teeth, the concussions, they are all worth it if in the end, they stand victorious and at the top of their sport. If you joined us this past Wednesday, I touched on this a bit. How is it that I can walk down the street and stub my toe and find myself writhing on the floor in pain and cussing to myself (or aloud), yet a football player can dislocate his shoulder, only to return to the game moments later and help his team win “the big game?” Me stubbing my toe was for absolutely nothing, while the football player fights for a reason. It doesn’t matter if you or I find those reasons to be silly or insignificant. All that matters is that the passion that is inside of all of us is being fed.

These examples directly relate to what it means to truly follow Christ. I don’t mean going through the motions and playing the church game, I mean becoming a disciple of Christ. When you accept Jesus into your heart and he begins to clean up the stuff inside, you have actually begun a pretty rocky journey. It is weird, because you will have some good times, but for the most part it will seem that this whole “Jesus” thing actually makes your life harder! You have higher moral standards to live up to, people begin to place you under a microscope, and overall you experience some hard times. In the Bible, it actually says that you will be hated. The difference between playing the church game being a disciple of Christ is the same as stubbing your toe and playing in the Super Bowl. While the pain seems the same, one is almost meaningless, and one can be something you have worked your entire life for. When you begin to put Jesus #1 on your list of priorities, you will find that your passion for Him increases dramatically. It won’t be as difficult to follow His moral standards, pray to Him and read His Word. You do it almost subconsciously because your success in following Christ means the world to you. You will find that when people judge you or ridicule you, it doesn’t hurt as bad as it once did because you know the goal you are trying to reach: Dropping everything you have and following Jesus Christ with everything inside.

I pray that you guys can begin to truly look at your priorities, and begin to take steps to put Jesus #1 on that list. I honestly think that the closer you get to doing that, the more focused your life will become. And in the end, it will make the pains you go through (or are going through now) much worth it because you are working towards a greater goal: Eternal Life with our Creator.

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