Wrestling a Christian Life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSSLHiWpe0k

For those who do not know, I am a wrestling fan. LIKE A BIG TIME NERD WRESTLING FAN! I have been to shows, live events, a Wrestlemaina, merchandise and have two replica championship belts. If I can recall, I have been one since the beginning of my twenty-year career here on Earth. I can write a whole post about being a wrestling fan and such, but this one is not about that. Its a connection I made while watch one of the greatest superstars in today's generation, Roman Reigns, give his speech and the reaction of the fans to the life of a Christian.

Last night (October 22, 2018), at the beginning of Monday Night Raw, the show opened with the then Universal Champion Roman Reigns (aka Joe Anoa'i). Now, there had been speculation on the internet that he was injured since he missed that past weekend's live events. Now, if you are a wrestling fan you would know that he obtains a fifty-fifty reaction (cheers and boos). That is just his character, and how he is booked. The reaction from the crowd came as his music hit and as he first spoke on the microphone and then it happened. He announced to the world that he has been living with Leukemia for eleven years and his Leukemia has returned. You could hear a pen drop in the arena. People had to over look Roman Reigns, the character, to the man Joe Anoa'i. The reaction he got was unforgettable! People were giving him a standing ovation, chanting "Thank you Roman!" and cheering for him with tears. (Side Note: I gave a couple tears!) Roman Reigns had to relinquish his Universal Championship and leave the ring, while Joe Anoa'i had to leave his career for the time being, go home and battle Leukemia.

As wrestling fans, we tend to forget that the people we see on TV are characters and we forget the people who are actually portraying them. We tend to forget that the people portraying these bigger than life characters are also having to live their lives outside of their career. Last night, was the perfect example of how easy we forget. People can cheer and boo Roman Reigns all they want, but at the end of the day he will always be Joe Anoa'i, a man fulfilling his career, providing for his family, and giving all of us the entertainment that we all seek and paid for.

The reaction from the crowd was like no other for Roman Reigns, but it made me ponder, this is just like the life of a Christian. "My real name is Joe, and I've been living with Leukemia for eleven years." The fans realized, it was time to focus on the man behind Roman Reigns, Joe Anoa'i. As Christians we tend to forget what our focus is and that is Jesus Christ. We get so caught up in this world doing so many things such as school, homework, activities/sports or relationships. Our focused is blurred by all these things, and we forget the focal point.

"I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me," (John 14:30) The prince of this world is doing his job, if Jesus is not our focus and at the center of it all. We forget who we are once we proclaimed our heart to Jesus. How can we not forget? We need to set our priorities, and make sure that God is placed at the very top of the list, as He should be number one. Continue to place Him at the center of everything in relationships with people, work and our lifestyle. In my family, we gather together and watch wrestling, but we remember to keep Christ in the center of it all and wrestling is just something we bond over. The same goes with sports. That is how we continue to grow in each other's life and grow spiritual and invest in our family as they walk with God on their faith. Keeping Christ at the center of the things will bring peace because Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

I'm going to leave with this "Do not conform to this world, but be transformed through Him. For you will know God's will and it will be nothing but good, pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:2) As Christians, keeping Christ at the center, we will know God's will, because it is perfect for us. He made us in His image and we need to be images of Christ while living on this Earth. Let us not forget who we are! We know who we are and let us continue to focus on that. Keep a 20/20 on Christ and let us not get blurred by everything in this world. The prince of this world is around us, and we need to know who we are, we need to know the Word of God and we need to live by example everyday.

There’s no greater name I know There’s no stronger love to hold And I know You are the center of it all You’re my light and You’re my truth Heaven and earth bend to You And I know You are the center of it all You’re the center of it all

- "Center of it All" by Austin Stone Worship

*My thoughts go out to Joe Anoa'i and his family. I pray for a speedy recovery and hope to see you back in the that ring soon.*

-Kaleb Ly, The King of Aces-

*** Video Credit to WWE and Youtube