A question I have been pondering on is “what do you do in the face of danger?’A few options are available, to resist or yield, to fight or to flee? Surely, we understand the place of Ephesians 6:10-16 and the charge to stand firm. However, in the face of real danger, are we meant to remain as fierce as lions or as gentle as doves? Where does audacity or bravado sit in our journey through life?
Recently, reflecting on Ephesians 6:12, the words “for we wrestle” stood out. Growing up, I watched a bit of wrestling on TV and if there is one thing to note, in some wrestling matches, all is fair. There are even matches called ‘no rules’. In those, size does not matter, and anyone can be pitted against anyone.
Wrestling is thus a battle of wit, strategies, tactics, strength, andĀ preparation. However, resilience is crucial because you have to stay in the fight andĀ you cannot give in. That is wrestling! There are some punches you avoid, some hits you run from and others you face head-on, but you must discern. You may sometimes have to retreat from a battle to regroup for the next one. The signals to do so may emerge from what we may characterize as ‘fear’. However, beyond the kind of fear that cripples and stagnates efforts, there is an internal alarm system that mimics this process.
When King David realized his son Absalom had become king, he fled. The same happened with Elijah when Jezebel was seeking to kill him. Their stories continued, and their names are etched into the annals of history because they stayed alive to continue their battles. “Fear can be wisdom in the face of grave danger”. So beloved, be brave, because the righteous is as bold as a lion. However, don’t let your audacity cost you your life ‘foolishly’. Know when to retreat because to win the war, you have to stay in the fight.
#sly
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