I had been watching him for several weeks, studying him, listening to him talk. I was waiting patiently for the right time to challenge him to a wrestling match.
Finally the day came. He looked tired and worn. He wasn’t feeling well and I figured, that this may be the best opportunity that I could have to challenge him.
So I did.
I stepped up, squared off against him and immediately got into my wrestling stance. I began to tap him on the shoulder. He turned to see me crouched down and ready to shoot on him.
His instincts took over and immediately he crouched down and we began to circle each other. We sized each other up looking for that moment of inattentiveness that would allow us to take the advantage. I saw it first and shoot in on him taking his left leg and bringing it to my chest before I tripped him and brought him thundering to the ground.
From there – it only took a moment to get him on his back for the pin. Just as I was confident that the match was over . . .
I blacked out.
When I awoke, I saw him standing over me with his arm stretched out ready to help me up. I saw that there was some rug burn marks on my arm and hand, but other then that no real damage.
It was then that I discovered that I had not challenged an ordinary man, but rather I had challenged a former Army Soldier of the Year to a wrestling match. It was painfully obvious from the beginning that my one year of wrestling in High School was no match for a highly trained elite fighting man.
Where I thought I had the advantage by taking him to the ground, was actually the perfect position for him to put me to sleep.
I had no idea.
I thought I could take him.
I thought I could beat him.
I thought that I could win.
I lost horribly.
Two years later, I see the scars of that match on my hand and arm. They’ve healed, but they are a visible reminder of that match.
I have found that I have similar scars on my heart, mind and soul from trying to wrestle with sin. I have sized up sin thinking that by my willpower and intelligence I could beat it. Only to find out that once inside the arena of life, sin quickly grabbed me and choked me out. What I’ve learned is that . . .
My willpower is not enough to take on sin.
My intelligence is not enough to beat sin.
My desire to overcome sin is not enough on my own.
I need help.
The only one who can overcome sin, who can beat it, who can make sin submit is Jesus. When I choose to allow Christ to lead and guide me. When I choose to allow Christ to be my protector and my savior. When I choose to allow Christ to be my defender, it is only then that sin is defeated.
Thoughts?





