I am a Warrior (and you can be one too!)

That’s right, I am a warrior and I have a shirt, medal and awesome hat to back it up.  Last weekend, I, along with five friends and thousands of strangers, headed out to Manchester, TN to take on the Warrior Dash.  If you have never heard of the Warrior Dash, I suggest that you check out their website… It’s pretty awesome!  The Warrior Dash prides itself on being the “Worlds Largest Running Series,” and they have thousands upon thousands of people participate every year to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  To become a “Warrior” you have to survive the 3.2 mile run known as the Warrior Dash.  Sounds simple huh?!?  Well, there was one thing I left out…There are 12 different obstacles throughout those 3.2 miles. Yeah. 

Pre-race with our "warrior helmets"!As soon as I heard about the Warrior Dash, I knew I wanted to do it.  So, my friends and I signed up for the one closest to us that we could do, and I counted down the days in anticipation.  All was well until we were standing in the corral waiting for our race to start.  I began to think to myself, “What in the world were you thinking?!?  You are going to die!”  However, I stuck with it and minutes later we started off on our journey to become a warrior.  After a mile or so run, we began to hit our obstacles.  We jumped over and ran through mud.  We army crawled under many different obstacles, went through tires and jumped on cars.  The Giant Cliffhanger Wall we had to climb!We climbed different structures and navigated our way through a series of ropes.  Finally, we jumped over fire and crawled through mud.  At the end of the mud pit we crossed the finish line and were crowned warriors.  We survived and had a blast doing it. 

As I thought about the race, I realized all the work and obstacles we had to go through to become a warrior.  It was crazy!  You see a warrior is someone who shows great vigor, courage and aggressiveness in whatever they are doing.  A warrior is willing to do whatever it takes to take care of their people. A warrior is willing to fight the battle whatever the cost. 

In Judges chapter 6, we are introduced to a warrior.  Gideon is a famous warrior in the Bible known for taking out thousands with just a few in his army.  I had never realized the story being told in these verses until the other day.  Let’s dive in and look a little deeper.

Judges 6:12-16First of all, let’s check out what is going on here.  The Israelites are being oppressed as a punishment for the evil going on.  They pretty much were scared little girls.  Sorry, but Bible college nerd is getting ready to come out.  Gideon was of the Manasseh tribe, which we’re told is the lowest tribe.  Gideon’s family is one of the lowest families in the tribe, AND Gideon is the youngest in his family.  Pretty much he is the lowest of lows among the Israelites, and he was hiding in the winepress 'cause of what was going on.  The angel appeared to him and addressed him as “MIGHTY WARRIOR”.  He was hiding, but God still saw through that and saw a mighty warrior. God had a plan for his life and wanted to use him in a mighty way.  All the odds were against him, but God chose him, the lowest of lows, and wanted to use him to fulfill His plans.

We are SOOOO not worthy, but God calls us "a mighty warrior." There is no rhyme or reason why we could do the BIG tasks before us, but God gives us a mighty power and calls us His mighty warriors.  We all are warriors in a battle to help fix a problem.  So, what is your problem?  Are you trying to raise money to support a cause?  Are you called to bring a lost friend or family member to Christ?  Are you called to be a light in the dark at school or work?  What is your battle that God has before you?  Whatever the battle is, more than likely it is bigger than you.  However, God is calling you a mighty warrior.

Us crawling through the mud!I had to go through 3.2 miles and 12 obstacles to be called a warrior.  You simply have to be willing to fight the battle God has or is placing before you.  Do all He’s called you to do no matter how impossible it appears.  Do whatever it takes to fight the problem and battle God has set before you. He is a mighty God who is worthy of a mighty warrior to do His work.  We are warriors!In Judges 6, He tells us to go in the strength He has given us.  AND He promises He will always be with us. Be that mighty warrior.  I dare you.