Boxing Mirrors Life
One of the main reasons I love boxing is because it mirrors life. Fighters enter the ring alone and face challenges that test their character and heart. Sometimes they engage in wars that put them through intense adversity. These battles and wars take something away from the fighter. But, win, lose, or draw, they expose the fighter and reveal to them and us, who they really are. Some break, but others keep going. Fighters, real fighters, get back up and keep fighting.
Remembering my First Love
Back in 2013 I was in my first love with God. He was on my mind 24/7. I had joy in my heart. The peace the Bible talks about in Philippians 4:7 was real to me. I was going through a difficult situation but His peace kept me calm. It was a beautiful time in my life and one that I will always look back on fondly.
During this time I remember stopping mid-task at work one day. This love was consuming me. I felt a sudden desire to share it with others. That’s when Revival in Christ came to my mind. It started in social media and became a website in late 2017. Revival was live and this was my baby. I was writing blogs, creating videos, and sharing my experiences at church.
Neglecting my Fire
In 2020 I made the decision to join the Army National Guard. I was pushing 30 and I felt stagnant in life. These factors led me to an earlier dream of mine; to join the military. JROTC in high school was what inspired me. I wanted to serve by joining the Army full time. But, life took me down a different path. At 28, with a son, and stable work, I decided to fulfill that dream through part-time service in the Army National Guard.
Basic Combat Training presented physical challenges but it was the mental side that really affected me. I had never been away from my family this long. I doubled down on my faith. I attended the services they offered and stayed close to my Bible. Once BCT ended I was sent to another state for specific training. This new environment offered a little bit more freedom. Instead of continuing to fan the flame of my faith, I neglected it.
I was back home in early 2021. By this time my faith had cooled down. Slowly but surely 2021 marked a pause in my relationship with God. It led to years of living life without including Him in the picture. He was always on my mind. His presence haunted me but I just didn’t act on it. I was content living this way.
God’s Mercy Reached Me Again
Over the years I experienced good and bad times. I can’t discard these years because I had beautiful moments with my son, family, and life in general. But the bad times left their mark. Instead of running to God, I sought comfort in sex, alcohol, etc. The difficult times coupled with alcohol caused me to enter a dark time. I was depressed and felt alone. I was drunk one night when I cried out to God in tears and told Him that I didn’t want to live like this anymore.
God heard my cry. In mid 2025 I began to seek Him again. I prayed and cried my eyes out. The Bible was once again opened in my hands. The church I attended welcomed me back with open arms. I was given a new opportunity by God.
Real Fighters Get Back Up and Keep Fighting
I’m still on rocky ground trying to find my footing. Old habits die hard. I don’t drink like I used to but occasionally I choose the bottle over God. I’m trying. I understand that for me to live right, I have to consistently seek Him. It’s not about the works or how clean I am. It’s about Jesus. Feeling low makes the Cross feel closer.
I’m in a much better place than I was six months ago. God has been good to me. Meditating on God continues to lead me to thinking about the Cross. It breaks me. Knowing that Jesus looked at me in my worst moments and chose me. Realizing that my sin put Him on the Cross is what hurts me. He resurrected from death and sat and dined with Peter. The same Peter who denied Him. After all the heartbreak and pain we cause God, He still lets us sit with Him.
Final Thoughts
Life isn’t perfect and neither are we. But, there is a perfect person we can place our hope in. His name is Jesus. Jesus saved a wretch like me. I’m not here to force Jesus on anyone. I’m just grateful because I realize how good He’s been to me. The most I can do is share Him with others.
If you read this far, thanks! Revival in Christ is the idea God gave me. Thoughts of wanting it to grow and reach souls for Christ get me excited. But, when I start writing those thoughts go away. I write because it feels like therapy. Expressing what’s in my heart makes me happy and brings me peace. I hope it inspires you to look at Jesus. His love doesn’t discriminate. If He loves a wretch like me, I know He can love you too.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. - 1 Corinthians 1:18
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