Post a Comment On: A Sacred Pilgrimage

Throw in the towel.

Although this saying originated in boxing, it rings loud and clear for many a circumstance. After watching their star player being beaten by the opponent, the teams mates could throw in the white towel of surrender as a last effort to keep their opponent from knock out or possible death. Back in 1913, when this saying became popular, there wasn't the hype of rules and fairness in the sport that we have now. There was respect in spite of that, at least enough to give way to the white towel being tossed into the ring.

I hear of many people these days wanting to throw in the towel. I believe that all of us come to a place sometime, somewhere where the surrender alarm goes off.  In our hearts realize we cannot keep these heavy gloves, the facets of life, in the air any longer. Some of us have more of these days than others.

Why?

Partly because of the choices we have made, partly because of the choices others have made, and I believe partly because that is where God needs us to be to get our attention. And truly, it is most likely all of those things combined. Then why is it, that out of all the issues we face, knowing that Jesus made a way for us to access heaven, and we have everything we need, do we  struggle with this plight?

The temptation to throw in the towel.

I like to think of Jesus as my hero on a white horse. The rainbow mane flowing as his hooves clomp steadily as he approaches my in my mess. He is here. To my rescue!

But that is not how the war is, down in this world. That is the scene of heaven. His example for us here is truth, suffering, boldness of obedience, and rejection. A poor dressed man on a donkey. These are the things we follow after him in. In giving up our rights to greatness. We too, lay it down.

We don't throw in the towel for the sake of given up. We place our surrender towel in the hands of the referee, knowing that he knows best the match and skill of the fighters. He sees how much we can handle. The whole duration that we are living in the ring of days here, he never leaves us alone. He is there to call a time out, telling when to let the play continue, or to call the match to an end.

The winner has been declared.

And it is not me. I must understand this to my soul. My part of any plunder is decided by the winner alone. Jesus Christ. The only One who holds the title belt to Heaven and Hades.

I may seem defeated, but when I come to the end of myself? That is where the release comes. The invasion of the kingdom of heaven into my life.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.