27 Dec On Mission Warrior (6 of 12)
THE ON MISSION WARRIOR (6 of 12)
Continuing our year-end series on “The On Mission Warrior”…check our previous posts for the first five if you missed them! 
SIX (6 of 12): I determine, by God’s grace, to joyfully endure hardship, to persevere through challenges and to get up when knocked down physically, emotionally or spiritually.
“But the Lord God helps me; therefore, I have not been disgraced; therefore, I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord God helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.” (Isaiah 50:7-9, ESV)
Christmas time is a great time to consider the idea of joyfully enduring hardship and challenges. Jesus is our example, and He set the example here. “You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8)
His decision to leave His position in Heaven and empty Himself of much of His divine nature to come to this sin-infested, pain-ridded world was certainly a great “hardship,” a hardship that eventually let to His being tortured and executed in a most excruciating manner. Through temptations and human weakness, He nevertheless endured and accomplished the Great Purpose that He was sent for…and praise the Lord for the joyful perseverance of our Savior, Jesus Christ!
“When the world says, ‘give up’, hope whispers, ‘try it one more time’.” – Unknown
In the Dojo, we will inevitably encounter challenges of various types in our journey to Black Belt. Martial Arts training tends to cause us to confront some of our weaknesses, yet at the same time gives us the tools, the methods and the community and mentorship to face them down and overcome them. One of my greatest joys as an instructor is seeing a student achieve a victory over a former weakness. At different points in our training we may deal with fears, physical limitations, time limitations, distractions, injuries, frustrations and other obstacles to our goals. For those who endure and persevere, the rewards are great…not just physically earning a Black Belt or higher degree, but the satisfaction of growing and striving for excellence are the greatest rewards. There is a Japanese proverb that says, “Fall down seven times, get up eight.” You can’t defeat someone that just won’t stay down!
Satan thought he had won the battle on the morning after they placed Jesus’ body in the grave. But, alas for him, Jesus wouldn’t stay down! When He burst out of that grave Easter morning, He gained the ultimate reward for His perseverance and overcoming of hardship, but not for Himself. But for us. Praise and Glory to God for our victory because of His victory!
Follow in the footsteps of our Master and never, never, never give up! (Link to an article I commend to you, called “Get Up!” – https://onmissionmartialarts.com/get-up/)
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13-14, ESV
Keep Fighting the Good Fight!
Blessings,
Marco
OMMA Founder/Senior Instructor
Yondan – 4th Degree Black Belt
P.S. – As we “press on” toward our goal to fulfill the Mission the Lord has given us, we need your help to get our 3rd OMMA Location in Central Florida open and continue growing the other two locations. Click here (https://onmissionmartialarts.com/gi…/increasing_capacity2017/) to make a Year-End donation to our “Increasing Capacity for 2018” Fundraiser. Thank you!
P.P.S. – Here’s a great teaching on Jesus’ humility in coming to earth and His suffering on our behalf:
https://bible.org/…/7-ultimate-humility-leaving-comfort-zon…
Attachment: on mission warrior.pdf (116.2kB)