Pugilism

Pugilism is defined as, the practice, sport, or profession of boxing the art or practice of fighting with the fists; boxing. I recently purchased my first major fight on pay-per-view. I have watched fights from friend’s homes, and I have even been to a live title bout. I love the “sweet science”. There is something about to people going toe to toe, best person wins.

There was one time in particular when it seemed to me to be more than the mono e mono I loved to watch. It was around the first Mike Tyson and Holyfield fight. Tyson was fresh out of prison and a recent convert to the Nation of Islam. Holyfield was growing in his vocalization of his Christian faith. This provided an interesting backdrop.

There was much anticipation for this fight due to the long awaited match up. I was in college at the time, and people were hedging their bets as to who would win. The vast majority of the crowd was convinced that Tyson needed only enter the ring to be victorious. I must admit that I was thinking pretty much the same thing. Then, at a press conference, I heard words that change my mind. One of Tyson’s entourage shouted something like, “Christianity vs. Islam were going to see whose God is the real God”.

This was not the first time a Christian faced a Muslim in the ring. In retrospect neither one of these men were great representatives of their beliefs. But, in my mind I wondered if this guy brought calamity on his own side. Now, I am not saying that God, all of a sudden, cared about these two brawlers. But, in the Bible we do see God showing up for the sake of His name. This of course was the “ear biting” fight. But I couldn’t help but focus on whether or not God was going to step in because He was called into the ring.

It makes me look at my life and that of those who follow me and ask, is God compelled to get involved. Is He being leaned on in such a way that others are wondering if He will show up on our behalf. That is what is means to be a Christian. We should by, the way we live, have a backdrop of God may show up to on their behalf for His namesake. Do our lives scream, “My God is real”! I wonder.