My high school sweetheart was a very thin and tall with a significantly petite frame. After meeting at a basketball tournament, our relationship quickly turned into a teenage love affair. Prior to dating me, she was involved in a relationship with a flamboyant, aggressive, ‘freakishly-athletic’ guy. He had a difficult time letting their past dating relationship go. On several occasions when we were hanging out in her hometown, we would run into him. He would make several direct and bluntly rude remarks with the intentions of embarrassing and challenging me. At their local park, he and I would have intense basketball battles that were typically one foul away from becoming a fist fight. Profanity-laced trash talking and prolonged stares were abundant. Our feud became so intense that people around us always expected a fight, when he or I entered a room where one was already present.
This personal high school rivalry did not keep me from accepting a scholarship to play basketball in my girlfriend’s hometown. Unfortunately, this also was the place that her ex-boyfriend resided. Ironically, when I moved to the new area, my run-ins with my nemesis were rare. However, when we did see each other; it was awkward and heart pumping.
He shared a child with one of the college’s cheerleaders. I really did not know much about her, but I was aware their relationship was volatile. At my first college basketball game, he was present being loud as ever. I was a ‘bench-warmer’. Throughout the whole game, he was in the crowd letting me know about it. Although, the mother of his child had moved on with another dating relationship; she was becoming visibly upset by his demonstrative behavior. After the game ended, I quickly dressed and visited with my mom in the parking lot. All of sudden about 100 yards away, I heard a nervous commotion. Being so distant, I wasn’t quite sure of what was taken place, but had a really good idea. I abruptly left my mom and ran to the scene fearing my girlfriend was being attacked. To my relief, he was not bothering her; however, he was shoving the mother of his child. The large crowd (including my coach and the college president) watching the scene was wordless. In my disbelief that no one was saying or doing anything, I immediately blurted out, ‘Get your hands off of her!’ These were the words that broke through the tension he and I had carried for over a year.
When he identified I was the person that subconsciously ordered him to discontinue his harassing, he charged me. His first connection fractured my jaw, but fortunately for me, I had a size advantage. I was able to overpower him through wrestling. Within seconds of being on top and swinging landing only a few punches, I felt a foot connect with my right rib tossing me to the ground. Then, his family members ‘bum rushed’ me into the ground. There were a total of three guys fiercely unloading on my body before someone (still not sure who) decided to pull them away from me. Getting my butt kicked (literally) my freshman year in college was a crazy experience that I will never forget.
Ironically, years later, what I fought against is what I became. The constant rejection of God led to further debauchery of my spirit and well-being. This caused me to become desensitized to the very things that I most disgusted (Romans 1:28). It is common for this process to happen to people. Unfortunately, fallen ministers are a perfect example. Most Christian ministers wholeheartedly believe the words in the Bible; however, they have the same vulnerabilities as laymen and aren’t excluded to Satan’s attacks. Due to not quickly repenting, they fall short. In all cases, when God is speaking to you about a matter; it would benefit you to immediately do as He request. Your disobedience will eventually harvest.
In my case (and I believe in most people), I saw myself being violent (sinning) before it happened. These images should have been surrendered to the Word of God (2 Corinthians 10:5). In this world, there are so many images and words hovering. If you are not careful, those images and words can become your life; no matter how much you detest them. In staying close to the Lord, your ability to detract sinful thoughts into becoming a lifestyle is higher. Also, remaining transparent about your temptations will help extinguish the fire (James 5:16).
As our loving God pursued David in order to get his attention of an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12), He is using me for YOU. The analogies that I provide are my life stories with the hopes that you will dedicate your heart and existence to God through Jesus Christ. It first starts with a true desire to serve the living God. There is no true wisdom without Christ (James 3:17).
If you would like to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please click on the link below.
http://www.cbn.com/stepstopeace/index.aspx
