The Enduring Resilience of Never Give Up Ethos
WWE Superstar John Cena will be wrestling his final match tonight at Saturday Night’s Main Event. It’s the culmination of a storied career built on one ethos: “Never Give Up.” I was twelve years old when I first started watching pro wrestling in 2004. These larger-than-life wrestlers mesmerized me. I latched onto Eddie Guerrero, and he quickly became my ultimate favorite wrestler, but Cena became another favorite of mine. He was lively, energetic, and never backed down from a challenge. Over the span of 20-plus years, I have seen the multiple stages of his career—from his early days, to his heyday, and now to his more vulnerable twilight. One thing has remained, and it’s that “Never Give Up” ethos. Perhaps it’s not a Biblical phrase, but it’s something that mirrors what our faith should be like.
How John Cena Gave Me Confidence and Hope in My Formative Years
Coming to terms with the fact that this will be John Cena’s final match has been hard. It reminds me of twelve-year-old me in 2004. Watching tributes honoring his legacy has brought tears to my eyes. It’s not that I idolize him, but he reminds me of an innocent time in my life. These were heroes to my younger self. I wasn’t the popular kid at school, and yes, I had moments of being the fat kid. These factors, along with never being an extrovert, drove me to pro wrestling even more. Wrestlers like Cena inspired me. He made me feel confident and hopeful during those formative years in my life. Now at 34, his retirement is almost like seeing a part of my childhood being buried.
A Bittersweet Moment with Hope in the Horizon
John Cena’s retirement is bittersweet because he’s a living embodiment of a special time in my life. To be honest with you, I’m almost contemplating watching his final match alone to avoid the embarrassment of having family see a 34-year-old me cry over another grown man. But I don’t mind; I think it’s important to embrace our humanity. These are things that are special to me. Seeing Cena refuse to give up when he’s gone through adversity has, in many ways, inspired me to never give up when facing my own adversity. The sad news is that we’ll never see him wrestle again. The good news is that he’ll still be alive. After today, the in-ring action will end, but his legacy will surely continue to inspire others, just as it has inspired me.
Beyond Defeat: The Enduring Power of Cena’s ‘Never Give Up’
The legend of John Cena has been built on one ethos: “Never Give Up.” His final opponent, Gunther, has threatened to destroy that ethos by making the legend give up in his final match. This threat amplified the stakes for an already emotionally charged match. Story-wise, yes, seeing the great John Cena submit will make the moment harder to take in. If we’re looking at the bigger picture, it won’t matter one bit. Cena—the wrestler, the person—has proven that this ethos goes far beyond the ring. In-ring losses and injuries have never stopped him. His activity inside the ring has decreased over the years, but his involvement in philanthropic work and movies has only continued to climb. Cena’s legacy will not take a dent if he loses by submission. On the contrary, a loss followed by a continued refusal to give up outside the ring will only enhance his overall legacy.
A Swan Song That Offers Reflection on God’s Unchanging Nature
John Cena’s swan song will be special. Seeing him perform one last time will bring back a plethora of memories. It’ll also serve as a reminder that stories don’t end when one chapter closes. The context of this blog post may not necessarily fit into Revival in Christ. For me, it’s inspiration for my faith walk—the reminder that we are mortals living on borrowed time, and that the body, strength, and beauty fade like the lily of the field. But you know who doesn’t fade with time? Jesus. His power, love, and mercy are unfazed by the passage of time. John Cena’s retirement is bittersweet as a fan, but as a Christian, it’s an opportunity to take his ethos and apply it to our faith. “Never Give Up” was never meant to stay within the confines of a four-sided wrestling ring. It transcends to you and me as inspiration to never give up because God is with us.
Thanks for reading! We all have people we look up to, but at the end of the day, Jesus will never fail us. He’s our faithful friend. Please consider sharing this post with others, and feel free to follow us on our social media pages by using the buttons below. You can subscribe to our newsletter by using the form below. God bless you!
