Fighting the Good Fight

a ministry update from Mo Leverett, December 29, 2007 -

We had a lighter Christmas than usual. Were it not for the generosity of our children toward one another, the presents under the tree would have been conspicuously sparse.

My son Manning requested but three things: 1) baseball cards, 2) a remote control car and 3) boxing gloves. He got precisely what he asked for. His favorite however, by far, was the boxing gloves.

I’ve paid a heavy price for his new passion – punches in the stomach, the side and yes, the head and face. He doles out all of this punishment with smiles, grit and irrepressible joy - reminding me much of someone else I know. You see, Manning’s Dad, for better and worse, is a fighter too. I was renowned on the play ground, school bus and neighborhood for my fists – not as a bully, but I enjoyed fighting for what I believed to be a good cause, and I often did. Some things never change.

I remember one fight I was in with a boy in our neighborhood. It was short. Though he was two years older, he left having been humbled. However, I did not know that his defeat led to his increasing desire for revenge. He decided to drink a gallon of milk for greater strength and power. He came out of his kitchen with a renewed confidence and countenance that frankly was intimidating. I decided that I could not contend with his two years advantage and a GALLON of milk, so in fear, I retreated. Looking back, I think one body blow would have done him in!

I am still attempting to fight the good fight. I fight daily with the flesh, the enemy of my soul. Frankly, while some have believed that our ministry of 17 years in the Desire neighborhood took courage - the fight with the flesh requires more from the soul than any other foe or challenge I’ve faced in my 42 years of life. It is my flesh that grows weak, tired, discouraged and angry. It is my flesh that is pessimistic, bitter and biting. It is my flesh that is unforgiving, relentlessly rude or impatient. And while I have dissenters and bone fide enemies in this life, none is more effectual than the enemy within.

In this fight, as in all other spiritual enterprises, Christ is the protagonist. He is the one who will triumph and prevail. My efforts when they are limited to such, fall significantly short. But He will finish the work He began in me. I make no excuses in this, only apologies and acknowledgments that Christ is not finished with me yet. There are many more cavernous places in my heart and soul where His love and healing power have yet to heal and restore. Therefore, I wait on Him to add strength to my jabs, hooks and uppercuts.

However, as I’m waging this war within, I’m seeking through God’s strength to fight for His Kingdom by advancing the gospel of word and deed into the hearts of others. On this front we’ve made much progress but we have far to go. I’m not as fleet of foot as I used to be. Hopefully I will be able to press against the schemes of my opponent through wisdom and reliance where my own agility has given way to the aging body I posses. And where the punches I’ve absorbed along with my many falls to the mat have jostled my cerebrum, I pray the Lord will supply his strength to endure and to refresh.

When Manning presses against me with his new gloves, I laugh and long for that youthful exuberance that I once knew. I pray for the will to continue to fight, punching my way out of the corner of defeat and to strike a crushing blow against the enemy of my Savior. I look forward to looking over that enemy of Christ with the sweat and blood off our collective brows falling finally towards his slumbering body.

Happy New Year everyone! Thanks for the help you continue to provide for the fight! I have a rather big and talented corner, I know that very well!