I’ll fight for you
What does that statement mean to you?
To me, it always meant my buddies would have my back if I hit on someone’s girlfriend at the bar. So, as you could imagine, when we were signing contracts at training camp and my squad mentor looked me in the eyes and said, “I’ll fight for you,” I wasn’t quite sure what she meant.
Over these last 10 months, I have come to a greater understanding of the depth of that statement
I’ll fight for you means taking a personal role in my sanctification process
I’ll fight for you is not only reminding me that I am a warrior, but charging into battle with me to face my demons
I’ll fight for you means, when I am being lured into a temptation I can’t handle, I have a brother or sister by my side, grabbing my arm telling me it’s not worth it.
I’ll fight for you means, when I am weak, when I’ve been drowning in my own struggles so much that I can’t even see straight, I will have someone to come alongside me to encourage me and go to war in prayer for my weary spirit.
I’ll fight for you means holding me accountable to my own dreams and the vision God has placed on my life
I’ll fight for you means, if I slip and fall, I have a friend to talk to who will tighten up my accountability and not let me wander off by myself again into the lions den.
I’ll fight for you means asking tough questions that will make me reevaluate my standards for life, calling me to a higher quality of living
I’ll fight for you means sitting me down, looking me in the eyes and telling me what I did last night was selfish and I need to step my game up if I’m going to be the man God is calling me to be
Every great pastor I’ve ever talked to or listened to says they have a group of brothers and sisters around them who will hold them accountable, get in their business, and push them towards sanctification. I’ve never really had people in my corner like that until now.
I always thought that love meant accepting me the way I am and letting me do my thing. However, allowing someone to wallow in their addiction, shame, comfort, unforgiveness, pride, self loathing, and bitterness is the absolute most unloving thing a person could do. Being a brother or sister is not about just having someone to kick it with on the weekends, it’s about asking hard questions that will probably make someone mad, pointing out areas of improvement, and dragging them to a higher standard, especially when they have become comfortable with their life.
Maybe a friend will allow someone to stay where they are, but a brother or sister will push them to be the man God has called them to be. I don’t know about you, but I don’t need friends anymore, I need brothers and sisters.
Do you have brothers and sisters in your life who will call you to a higher standard?
Do you have people in your corner who, when the going gets tough, will dig their heels in and fight for you no matter what?
And my last question, do you even want that? Do you want to be that for someone else?
I’ll tell you from personal experience, it’s worth it.
