It was another successful day in Razboien. I went in with energy and left tired. That day however was a bit more tiring than usual. Normally Rhakeem was around to wrestle the boys and I’d help with an art activity or english lessons. However, that day Rhakeem was gone and as the kids began entering the school I slowly started to realize I would be the one wrestling the kids. Therefore, it was Ryan vs. eight Romanian boys with the super power of UNLIMITED ENERGY! Though, to be honest I don’t enjoy wrestling or fighting at all. I’d much rather play a game of soccer or basketball. However, these boys didn’t want to play soccer, they wanted to wrestle. Lucky for them, I had some frustrations stirring up inside me, making wrestling more appealing than usual. In fact it would even be a great form of therapy!
There I was trying to survive an hour of non-stop combat with a bunch of 12 year olds. I enjoyed throwing the kids around for awhile. Although, eventually they discovered my weakness and took out my legs from under me, bringing me to the ground. Before I knew it, I was under a large pile of boys choking me, slapping me, punching me and kicking me. It was funny at first because I thought I was in control. Then after a couple of minutes of being at the bottom of a dog pile. I tried to push them all off, BUT I COULDN’T EVEN BUDGE THEM! I was stuck under a pile of violent 12 year olds. In that moment I began to panic. Fearing that I would be remembered as that one American guy who got beat up by little kids. Therefore, I became a bit rougher with the boys and got back UP on my feet. By the end of it, I was exhausted, breathing hard and drenched in sweat. One week later as I was speaking to God and He brought my mind back to this memory and revealed a valuable lesson to me about the day I got beat up by the boys of Razboien.
I was reminded of Genesis 32. In which the Bible tells us about an experience where Jacob wrestled an angelic stranger. (Go read the account for yourself.) Before this wrestling match, Jacob faced a great fear. A fear of being murdered by his own brother. Jacob did everything he could in his power to relieve the situation but got no where. Without God Jacob was a hopeless man facing death. Therefore, Jacob cried out to God his refuge for deliverance from his brothers hand. As night came upon the deep, Jacob was all alone when a stranger met him. Jacob and this stranger wrestled for hours until the break of day. Once Jacob recognized he couldn’t win, the man brutally dislocated Jacobs hip socket, making him a vulnerable target for Esau to slaughter. Yet, after all this Jacob still wouldn’t let the stranger go. He was determined to hold onto Him with all his heart, strength and might because he knew this man wasn’t a man… He was looking into the face of God. This is exactly where God wants all of us. Holding onto Christ with every last grip of strength.
However, why did God injure Jacob? I believe it was to humble him. Jacob was a great fighter, but with a broken hip, Jacob was completely useless and incapable of fighting any battle on his own. Therefore, Jacob had to put his trust entirely in the Almighty God to fight the battles for him.
And God did exactly that…
“Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.”(Genesis 33:4)
Although Jacobs story is more intense than mine, there are still some similarities I learned while comparing my story to Jacobs. That particular day when I wrestled those kids I was frustrated and confused about world race theology, afraid of the future, tired spiritually, hungry physically, uncomfortable and angry with how I was being treated by a few of my teammates. A part of me wanted to quit this trip and go home. I was sick of being disrespected, blamed for things, having a female leader and following some of the silly unbiblical world race christian policies. Yet, although I was frustrated I wanted to act righteously as Jacob did… Not unrighteously. Therefore, I had to refrain myself from making any of the THREE MAJOR MISTAKES.
#1 Relying on my own strength and trying to figure out a logical solution to my problem. We all do this one! Escaping our problems by distracting ourselves away from the real issues. Forgetting that God is our helper and our provider among ALL things.
#2 Opening my mouth when it should remain shut. “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: [but] he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.” (Proverbs 13:3)
We all get angry, it’s a emotion God placed inside of us. However, we must be careful not to sin in this anger. In this situation opening my mouth would have done nothing but destroy.
#3 Feeling sorry for myself and my difficult situations/struggles. This is one of the worst habits to adopt. It’s literally a contagious disease, which spreads vastly amongst the weak. God calls us to be STRONG and courageous! Not in the flesh but strong IN Christ Jesus.
That day I wrestled the boys in Razboien and almost lost. It was humiliating, yet humbling. I felt weak and embarrassed. However, this reminded me that I truly am weak in my flesh. I MUST rely on Christ in me to fight ALL my battles! Whether it’s a battle against cancer, demons, my sinful flesh or a group of eight 12 year olds who want to wrestle. Remember God is our refuge!
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”(Ephesians 6:10)
Blessings in Chirst Jesus,
Ryan
