Each child walks onto the mat facing their opponent. Going through all the techniques their coach trained them to do. As the coach moves in, their parents follow close behind. Each wrestler knows they are there for support. 

I do not know or understand the scoring at all, but I do know that every wrestler gives it their all after the referee says GO! Soon the match is over, and both wrestlers stand with the referee waiting for their arm to the be one raised and claim winner. As they walk off the mat coaches and parents meet the wrestler to congratulate or encourage them with the idea on “next time.” 

Our life, our next time on the mat, can feel the same way as we face our opponent each day. We prepare for what is ahead of us. Study for a test, learn new skills, go to counseling or coffee with our mentor. We take all the information in and plan our strategy to be the one whose arm is raised high into the air as a victor. 

Honestly there are wrestling seasons in my life that I get pinned pretty quickly. There have also been times when I am surprised that I am the victor. That I didn’t get pinned. I wasn’t sure I did enough during the match. 

Each wrestler is different. They have been trained by different coaches which hon in on the skills they bring with them. At the weekend matches the wrestlers with their coaches watch each other trying to identify the opponents strong and weak areas. 

Our opponent in this world does something. He watches us closely identifying the weak spots and character shortcomings in our lives. Like the wrestler preparing for his match, we too need to prepare for the next time we are called to the mat. The next time we face sin in our lives. When fear, regret, anger or hurt pulls us down, we need to make a choice. We can either get up or give up. 

At times we sense something similar; we know that we have been down here before. We experience the same hurt or fear; we just lay there for a second. Then in that moment we cry out to the Holy Spirit. We cry out to our coach, our savior, to help us get off the mat. 

In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises the Spirit as a divine Helper and reveals that the Spirits primary purpose is to empower believers and pint them directly to Jesus’ own teachings. Jesus stated “that the Holy Spirit teach you all things and bring these teachings to us to help believers understand and apply Jesus’ words daily.  

We have been promised that anyone who believes in Him will experience The Holy Spirit as “rivers of living water’ flowing from within. (John 14:15-31 & John 16) 

John 14:26 reads; But the comforter, which is the Holy Spirit; whom the Father will send in my name; He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you. 

Next time we are brought to the mat; be it a struggle to get up, to start moving in a healthier lifestyle; to forgive before anger; to show compassion before strife dig deep in your heart for the Holy Spirit and Jesus teachings. 

Dear Lord our Savior, our teacher and coach forgive us when we get to the mat and try to wrestle our way. Continue teaching us through your words every day. Hear our prayers and send your comforter to us. Move in our life such that we can show your victory over evil through our life. Amen