"If hockey fights were fake, you would see me in more of them."
-Rod Gilbert, New York Rangers
The one thing my nephew wants to do when we spend time together is wrestle. He suits up in his superhero gear and runs (or flies) into the living room ready for battle. My role, as the evil monster or whatever perilous creature he suggests I be, is to put up a believable, but not too forceful, fight against him - the Rescuer of the Helpless and Doer of All Good.
We both understand that our "battle" is nothing more than a role-playing activity which both of us enjoy very much. In fact, if my nephew thought for a moment that I truly intended to do him harm, I seriously doubt that he would be as excited about joining in! He would likely see the impending danger that awaited him and hide somewhere or avoid coming to my house altogether. But what if he truly believed that his cape, mask, and weapons actually possessed "superpowers" that would defeat any earthly foe, regardless of its size or might?
Ephesians 6:12 tells us that, "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." I don't know about you, but that makes me want to hide somewhere or avoid the fight altogether. However, the proceeding five verses outline the "superhero" tools that we, as believers, have at our disposal. The question is, do you suit up and enter the battle with full faith in your armor or do you elect to let fear paralyze you and preclude you from the fight?
Our representatives are engaged on the Frontlines of the battle described in Ephesians 6. They understand that the enemy is real, the fighting is real, and that there will be casualties - possibly themselves - and yet they suit up everyday and fight. They have been called to the Frontlines and chose to obey...for His name's sake.
The battlefield is in America as well. Are you putting on the full armor every day and joining in the fight? Or are you choosing to believe the fight is "fake" and turning a blind eye to it? Or are you hiding in your own comfort zone and avoiding the danger altogether?
Please prayerfully consider your role in this spiritual battle for people's souls. Is the Lord calling you to partner with Uttermost Sports as it, through the courageous efforts of its representatives, advances the Gospel to the ends of the Earth through sports?