Take risks for the Gospel
I’ve recently encountered a previously unknown athletic sub-culture known as youth wrestling and I’m totally hooked. Zeke, our 7-year-old, came home from school asking if he could join “Fight Club,” by which he meant the local Irish Wrestling Club, started by some dads in our area.
I’ve recently encountered a previously unknown athletic sub-culture known as youth wrestling and I’m totally hooked. Zeke, our 7-year-old, came home from school asking if he could join “Fight Club,” by which he meant the local Irish Wrestling Club, started by some dads in our area.
A few months in, Team Burak couldn’t be happier with our experience. Watching Zeke walk out onto that mat, shake hands with his opponent, try his best to beat him, shake hands again regardless of the outcome, and then navigate the joy of victory or the agony of defeat has been so inspiring and confirming as to some of what a boy needs to grow into a man of God.
With the words of my new book, A Man on Purpose: 10 Rules of Life from a Faithful Father rattling in my brain, one particular moment has stood out. In his second match, Zeke got pinned, quickly and decisively. Tears formed in his eyes from both the physical and emotional pain. One of his coaches gently held his shoulders, looked him directly in the eyes and started teaching him. Instruction morphed into encouragement, and I watched this grown man lovingly lead my young son.
Zeke’s loss created a moment of growth and new strength, because it happened in the context of an intentional community. This is representative of why I highlight community, risk, virtue and failure in my book. Zeke experienced something that needs to happen to all of us. It’s vitally important we foster environments where we intentionally risk something for a greater cause.
In the spiritual life, we will have moments of fruitfulness and growth, and times when we fall, sin and get “pinned” by temptations and corrupt desires. But if we turn to the Lord through repentance and intentionally walk with other people who can challenge and encourage us, we can keep running the race to heaven. We cannot grow into mature disciples of Jesus Christ if we always play it safe, stay on the sidelines and don’t learn from success or defeat.
So go find your “wrestling club” – other men and women who want to obey the Lord and grow in holiness, and are willing to risk something for the sake of the Gospel. You’ll likely find them already “in the arena,” living boldly for Christ.
We cannot grow into mature disciples of Jesus Christ if we always play it safe, stay on the sidelines and don’t learn from success or defeat.”
Pete Burak is the vice president of Renewal Ministries. He has a master’s degree in theology, and is a frequent speaker at events for youth and young adults.
