Finishing the fight

By Father DAVID EPPS
Contributing Writer

Father David Epps is Rector of Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church which meets at 8 and 10 a.m. Sundays at 4881 E. Hwy. 34. He may be contacted at 770-252-2428, or at frepps@ctkcec.org

It was the spring of 1986 and I couldn't remember when I had felt so badly. I was drenched in perspiration, the incessant pounding echoed in my aching head, and my energy was absolutely depleted. I could not seem to get my eyes focused properly, and my breathing was shallow and labored. And the bruises! The dark splotches were beginning to cover my shins, arms, and chest.

"I was surely suffering from a terrible disease," I thought. "Yes, that's it. I have been inflicted with an incredible case of stupidity…how in the world, after all these years, did I think I could possibly compete with all these young men in a full-contact karate tournament?"

Yet, there I was seated on my chair in the corner of the ring awaiting the call for the final round. "The final round!Ê I don't think I can stagger out there for the final round! Except for a small spot over my right eyebrow, every square inch of my body is in agony!"

Not only was I tired of fighting, weary of getting pounded, but my opponent looked fresher than ever! He was much younger, taller…besides I wasn't even sure the prize was worth the fight. If I won, I would capture third place in the Heavyweight Black Belt Division, but, if I lost, I would still get fourth; if I didn't come out for the final round, I would still get fourth. Add to that, I was certain that the fight was already won. I had simply not been ready for this one. The best I could hope to do, I thought, is to simply finish the fight.

My cornerman leaned down, "How about it?" Through gasps of air, I said, "I don't think so. I've had it. I don't even think I can stand up."

But then the cheering started. Through the fog, I heard two or three of my team members shout their encouragement. Then, other people who didn't know me, but wanted the underdog to win, began to cheer. "Want me to stop it?" asked the cornerman. The referee called me to the center of the rings twice; the cheering grew louder. After the referee called me to the center of the ring for the third and final time, I stood up. It was just one more round.

The round passed slowly as my abdomen took additional punishment from the powerful kicks and punches of my adversary. Yet, from somewhere, additional energy emerged and I decided to give my opponent everything I had left. If I died of a heart attack in the ring, so be it! I had to finish this final round; I must not quit! We both delivered each blow as though it were our last. Both of us fought through the pain and the weariness. Then, it was over.

My opponent slid into his chair. I slumped to the floor as EMS workers rushed over to administer oxygen. The judges tallied their score cards and, in a moment, the referee called the fighters back to the center of the ring, took us each by the hand, and had us face the crowd. Never will I forget the feeling when the victor's hand was raised; my hand!

I hurt for days afterward and it was weeks before I was fully back to normal. Yet, in that last fight, I learned something about a scriptural principle. The Apostle Paul said, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith ... " (2 Timothy 4:7 NASB). Paul didn't state that he was a world champion; he stated that he had successfully fought, that he saw the fight through until the end, and that he had completed the race set before him. Did he get discouraged, was he ever bone-tired, tongue dragging weary? His account reads, " ... five times I received forty stripes save one. Thrice I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck ... in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness ... in hunger and thirst ... in cold and nakedness. Who is weak, and I am not weak ... " (1 Corinthians 11:24-27,29).

But he finished the fight! The circumstances were great, the difficulties immense, the enemy was seasoned and tough, but Paul was determined to finish the fight!

How about you? Do you feel that you can't make it out for one more round? Is the adversary tough, your body and mind battered? Do you bear the scars and bruises of a bitter, tough fight? Well, welcome to the club! But you have people in your corner. You have those who are willing to kneel with you in the middle of your fight! You have a cheering section of faithful people who believe in you and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you can make it!

Your family may appear to be in trouble, finances may not be what you'd wish, you may be tired, depressed, and discouraged. But if you will go out for the next round, if you will finish the fight, if you will refuse to quit in the middle of the fight, then yours will be the hand raised in victory! A crown is laid up for you if you will dare to answer the challenge set before you!