The Young, Saved, and Fly

They call him the greatest, Muhammad Ali, a man who was known as much for his confidence and swagger as much as his ability to outclass opponents in the boxing ring faced many great opponents.  In October of 1974 Muhammad Ali faced then heavyweight champion George Foreman in one of the greatest fights of all time known as the “Rumble in the Jungle.”  The younger more powerful foreman seemed an overwhelming favorite against the then 32 year old Ali who had been fighting a string of lesser known fighters after his 3 year suspension from boxing for refusing to be drafted in the Vietnam war.  Ali entered the fight the tried veteran who many doubted had much left.  During the course of the fight Muhammad took blow after blow from Foreman. For 7 rounds Ali would lye on the ropes allowing the bigger Foreman to punch and punch. Until the 8th round….

Lately I’ve endured punch after punch from life and the enemy. If you name it I’ve been attacked in just about every area. You see that’s how the devil works.  When you’re on the right path one where you are moving closer to God and trying to take other with you the enemy will throw everything at you to get you off track.  Let’s see… it started with me having to move out of a place I just moved in too in only 3 weeks.  The move cost money and ended costing me most of my furniture including my sofa, box spring, and desk which broke under the wear and tear of moving so much in the last few weeks.  My health was attacked when I got a cold in the middle of the summer and of course the stress of other challenges hit me hard too.  The financial cost of the loft fiasco drained resources and recently DePaul called and in an error they overpaid in refund checks 4,000$ and need that back before I can continue school  In the 7th round of the fight my car was hit 3 separate times while parked!.. I know you’re thinking there is no way this could all happen to one person in 1 month well let me tell you it absolutely did.  Like Ali it has appeared that I am on the ropes and about to be down for the count. Well… I’m fighting back.

Ali used the rope-a-dope strategy to let Foreman punch himself out. In the 8th round when Foreman got tired Ali knocked him out.  Well I’m on the offensive.  In Ephesians  10-17 it says…Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Well God’s word is my sword, my great left hook that I’m swinging with.  Like Ali I laid on the ropes and took the best shots and now I’m swinging back. I’ve been on the defensive long enough.

I entreat you if you feel like you are under attack to use God’s word and swing back. Speak greatness over your life and speak change.  We are not called to live lives or persecution nor are we to suffer.  Endure this and mount an offensive of your own!.. Now is your time…

Be Young, Saved and Fly…

Jeff