Pick your fight and find your purpose
This idea of ‘picking a fight’ has got me. I’m putting it in the category of a BGI. (blinding, guiding insight). It’s a clue as to why Christians are so passive. They haven’t picked a fight. They’re just sitting in church learning more stuff. Like Jesus said, they’re useless…“like salt that’s lost its savor.”
Purpose is about “why”, and we know if God gives us our purpose, it’s about other people. Jon Acuff (www.jonacuff.com/blog) recently wrote about purpose. He says it’s a simple formula…
your talent + other people = purpose.
Until we ‘pick a fight’, we don’t know what we’re made of. Or made for.
Bob Goff’s story (see our last post) shows how intentionally taking on Dale the bully clarified his “hardwiring”. Years later, he finds himself taking on bad guys in Uganda and India, using that hardwiring and his legal skill & experience to help others. He still has his “day job” as a lawyer. He calls it “fund raising” for his real fight.
A fight musters resources. A fight pumps adrenalin. A fight creates urgency. A big fight forces you to look outside yourself and create alliances. In a fight, there’s times you attack and there’s times you protect. A fight keeps you focused on your adversary. And a fight is instructional…you learn fast in a fight.
I was 33 years old when I realized my religion was meaningless. It had nothing to do with my real life, even though I believed the Bible and all the Christian stuff. Nuclear meltdowns in my marriage and career left me humbled and desperate. I turned to Jesus and we started a relationship. I’ve spent a lot of my life trying to help young men see the difference. ..to abandon religion and have a real relationship with God. That’s what Radical Mentoring is all about. I think that’s my fight. Relationship vs. religion.
What kinds of fights could you pick?
– Pick a fight with fatherlessness – Plug in with Young Life, or the Mentoring Project, or Big Brothers of America or with young men in your church who don’t have dads.
– Pick a fight with homelessness – Get involved with the best ministry to the homeless where you live.
– Pick a fight with loneliness – Go sign up and volunteer at a nursing home or assisted living facility.
– Pick a fight with divorce – Get involved with a marriage preparation, mentoring or enrichment ministry.
– Pick a fight with hunger – Find a ministry that feeds the poor and attacks hunger.
– Pick a fight with ‘suitcase kids’ – Become foster parents and make an indelible mark on some precious young lives.
Or join me and mentor younger ones, doing whatever it takes to point them to a relationship with Jesus. Pick a fight with ‘religion”. Go deep into ‘relationship’ and take a few guys with you this year. And then next year. Every year.
And don’t get all lathered up and leave God out of this. He’s given you talents and experiences like no one else. Ask Him to make it clear by giving you a burden for the fight He wants you to pick. Ask Him to wear you out until you act. You may have to pick several different fights until you find the one you were made for.
Is this your season?
Is 2013 your time to pick a fight?
Question: Will you tell us about the fight God leads you to pick here?
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Responses (6)
Are we willing to be hated for His sake? To take an unpopular stand for a Christ centered pricipal? Jesus has given me peace amidst the storm when I have chosen Him and His way at the risk of familial bliss. Sometimes we don’t look for the fight but the fight finds us.
Yeah Tony. I don’t know your situation, but remember we’re all gonna’ fight some fights. Don’t let the enemy get you so wrapped up in the skirmishes that you never get to your unique fight…your calling and purpose.
I have decided to pick a fight against poverty and homelessness. I have been on the sidelines and mingling in the battle from time to time but now it is time to fight. 2013 will be the year of victory!
Atta’ boy Rich! Let us know what God does…
I have been dabbling with the fight against human trafficking and prostitution – this year I hope to see a clearer path to really enter the fight and take hands-on action, including working with the victims. Lord, show the way and open my eyes so I see!
Fenny….very few people and ministries are truly on the front edge of this fight. It’s hard to get to front lines and only a few people and ministries are getting there. Don’t diminish your value as a giver, prayer and support person in this fight. God needs people on the support team as much as he needs fighters on the front edge. Don’t let Satan make you think what you can co in the background isn’t valuable too.