The Eye of the Tiger

 

I love the Rocky movies!  Yes I even like Rocky V.  The reason that I enjoy these movies so much is that they speak to men at different points in life and they help to illustrate Christian principles.  I'd like to take this time to discuss a couple found in Rocky I.  For those of you who may not know. 

Rocky Balboa was a nobody boxer who lived in Philadelphia, P.A.  That is until fate gave him the chance to go up against the defending World Heavy Weight Champion Apollo Creed.  Here was a man that would be lucky to make it past the third round.  However, he knew that this was his one shot.  He knew that the odds were against him and he had to train hard.  But his goal wasn't to win the match.  His goal was to go the distance with Apollo.  As long as he could go the distance with Apollo and fight hard he would be happy.  So he enlisted the help of his long time trainer Micky to train him and trained in a meat locker because it was similar to actually hitting a person.

Meanwhile, back in Apollo Creed's headquarters, Apollo was more concerned with promoting the fight than preparing for it.  This didn't mean that others, like his trainer, were not trying to get him to take physical and mental preparation for the fight more seriously.

To make a long story short, Apollo was stunned at the capability of Rocky.  This man that Apollo planned to knock out cold in three rounds or less was giving him a real fight.  As a result, Rocky went the distance with Apollo.  Whenever I see this ending I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 which states, "Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.  They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  Therefore, I run in such a a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified."  So I constantly ask myself, "Who am I?"  I must determine if I am living as a Rocky Balboa or as an Apollo Creed as I walk with Christ. 

One way that I train myself through discipline is by consistently being immersed in the scriptures. A discipline that I like to use, as does David   Crowder, is called Lectio Divina or praying through the scriptures.  You begin by praying that God illuminates your eyes and heart as you read His word and ask Him to speak to you through it.  You then read a passage straight through silently.  Then read it aloud and look for anything that pops out at you.  Meditate on this phrase or sentence and pray about how God will use this to change your heart and life.  (For more on meditating on scripture check out Psalm 1.)  At the end of the day come back to this verse and think about what God has said to you.  

For example, I opened my Bible this morning and read Psalm 105.  The Lord really spoke to me through verse 4 which states, "Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually."   He reminded me that if I am going to be successful when temptation comes I must make it a habit to seek His strength, so that I will be able to overcome through Him.  It is only by continually seeking Him that I will have what Apollo Creed refered to as "The eye of the tiger."  It is only by seeking Him through prayer and study of His word that I will be able to face this world and live a life that honors the sacrifice that Christ made me.  Gain the 'eye of the tiger' with.  Make it a habit to seek the Lord and others will see that desire for God bursting out of you.