It seems odd to write about warriors on a blog that pirmarily is read by women, however, I am struck by an interesting question.
What is a warrior? What makes a warrior?
Tonight while watching TV, I saw 2 shows with Warrior themes. The boys on Survivor called themselves warriors, and on the show Friday Night Lights, I watched as warriors navigated life off the field.
On Survivor, there was a conflict about who to vote off (as there always is), and the newly formed tribe of all men, had to decide between the brash, volatile strong member and the weaker but more even-keeled member of thier tribe. Who to keep? Whose resources would take the tribe the furthest. It was interesting to watch as physically strong men debated about the value of brawn over an even-keel.
In friday Night Lights, a group of teenaged football players (who look more grown up than anyone I remember from highschool) and their coach navigate through life in small town Texas, where God and football hold an almost equal place (although if push came to shove I think that Football would win every time!). The players are heroes-warriors- and as the football team goes, so goes the town. I love this show because apart from being a show that promotes good values and isn't afraid of having a character call themselves 'sinner', it showcases one of the most inspiring cultures in our day-the football culture.
There is something about football. It captures the imagination, it is inspiring. I love football movies and I love movies about boys growing through circumstances and coming out as a team. I love the idea that you sacrifice for the team, that you put all you have into the game, and leave everything on the field.
Many times, ultimately, the success of the goal is dependant not on the coaches, but how the team gels and how the players inspire one another.
How would our churches be different if we all wore a jersey and took on an opponent with the possibility of injury? Would we play harder or would we shrink to the sides and let the other team trample us. Too often as Christians we seek to meek, because we think it is holier.
I think though, that if Jesus were alive today, and played a sport, it wouldn't be tennis, or soccer, or baseball, those are all too genteel. I am sure that the table-turning, cross-bearing, stand up against the whole system, Jesus that I serve would likely have been an O-line slugger, big, bulky and powerful. This is the God who said that the "Kingdom suffers violence and the violent take it by force".
It is not all about the brawn though, we don't just need the chest-pounding brutes who can take out the D-line. We also need strategic runners who can be in position, who can read the changing play and who can respond to conditions that are unexpected. We need thinkers, doers, and the strong ones to stand in front and protect the quarterback.
What is a warrior? Someone with the integrity to do what is right, the strength to make their presence known and a strategic mindset to think on their feet and anticipate what the 'Coach' is wanting to accomplish.
Let's get a Kingdom mindset. Where is the enemy feeling our presence? Let's get it going!
Bring on the Warriors!
What is a warrior? What makes a warrior?
Tonight while watching TV, I saw 2 shows with Warrior themes. The boys on Survivor called themselves warriors, and on the show Friday Night Lights, I watched as warriors navigated life off the field.
On Survivor, there was a conflict about who to vote off (as there always is), and the newly formed tribe of all men, had to decide between the brash, volatile strong member and the weaker but more even-keeled member of thier tribe. Who to keep? Whose resources would take the tribe the furthest. It was interesting to watch as physically strong men debated about the value of brawn over an even-keel.
In friday Night Lights, a group of teenaged football players (who look more grown up than anyone I remember from highschool) and their coach navigate through life in small town Texas, where God and football hold an almost equal place (although if push came to shove I think that Football would win every time!). The players are heroes-warriors- and as the football team goes, so goes the town. I love this show because apart from being a show that promotes good values and isn't afraid of having a character call themselves 'sinner', it showcases one of the most inspiring cultures in our day-the football culture.
There is something about football. It captures the imagination, it is inspiring. I love football movies and I love movies about boys growing through circumstances and coming out as a team. I love the idea that you sacrifice for the team, that you put all you have into the game, and leave everything on the field.
Many times, ultimately, the success of the goal is dependant not on the coaches, but how the team gels and how the players inspire one another.
How would our churches be different if we all wore a jersey and took on an opponent with the possibility of injury? Would we play harder or would we shrink to the sides and let the other team trample us. Too often as Christians we seek to meek, because we think it is holier.
I think though, that if Jesus were alive today, and played a sport, it wouldn't be tennis, or soccer, or baseball, those are all too genteel. I am sure that the table-turning, cross-bearing, stand up against the whole system, Jesus that I serve would likely have been an O-line slugger, big, bulky and powerful. This is the God who said that the "Kingdom suffers violence and the violent take it by force".
It is not all about the brawn though, we don't just need the chest-pounding brutes who can take out the D-line. We also need strategic runners who can be in position, who can read the changing play and who can respond to conditions that are unexpected. We need thinkers, doers, and the strong ones to stand in front and protect the quarterback.
What is a warrior? Someone with the integrity to do what is right, the strength to make their presence known and a strategic mindset to think on their feet and anticipate what the 'Coach' is wanting to accomplish.
Let's get a Kingdom mindset. Where is the enemy feeling our presence? Let's get it going!
Bring on the Warriors!
2 comments:
Put me in coach, I'm ready to get off the bench!
Amen!
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