To my readers,
One of my favorite films of all time is Rocky. There is just something about all these movies that I just love. It must mean that I have the Eye of the Tiger. I’m sure you can imagine how ecstatic I was when I heard the final Rocky movie was coming to theaters.
On December 20th, 2006, my sister and I waited to watch the first showing of Rocky Balboa in theaters. And it did not disappoint. I loved it. Whenever I am going through a rough time, I watch this one scene where Rocky has a heart to heart with his son.
“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. Its about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!” Rocky Balboa
Rocky of all people knew about taking a hit. He walked into the line of fire more than any other boxer, but he never gave up. He pressed forward enduring the tough hits so that he could eventually take his one shot.
When I think about it, it reminds me of what the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Philippi. He writes,
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have no achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13-14, NLT.
I think too often, when we face any kind of resistance or struggle, we give up. Quit. We throw in the towel and allow for ourselves be defeated.
When life is at its worst, we must dig deep and press forward towards what we know God has called us to. We cannot give up. It’s in the toughest of times that we have the chance to stand toe-to-toe, go the distance, and overcome.
We must have our focus on Jesus. It is in this relationship that we have a place to dig deep into when the hard punches start. It’s our confidence in him that allows us to stand up when we’ve been beaten to the floor. It’s our determination to press onward towards Christ’s calling that compels us to go the distance. It’s our strength in what Christ did on the cross that allows us overcome anything the world throws at us.Dig deep into Christ. Keep moving forward.
P.S.) I now have a strange urge to have a montage to "Gonna Fly Now."
Simply,
Tex G.M. Rule
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have no achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13-14, NLT.
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