Far too often, we try to compartmentalize Christianity. This often comes at the cost of others all around us who were, by design, set along our paths in order to experience the very presence of Father. A child’s development in the world should be influenced the most by family and home life. However, when the family is broken, the stage is set all too well for the child’s failures in life.
Psalm 139:14: “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well.”
To know that we are the only part of creation that was created “IMAGO DEI”, in the image of God … We start with giving the child identity, a sense of belonging. Everyone ought to belong to something greater than themselves. When a child knows who they are and whose they are, they make better choices.
To my karate babies, I am not a karate instructor, or a mentor, or a counselor … I father them. My wife and I engage daily in parenting a parentless generation. We spiritually adopted many children for this reason! Part of what we offer the students at our academy is Identity. A sense of belonging. A safe place to land. As a result, we have hundreds of testimonies of what Father has been able to accomplish at the academy for over 20 years. Martial arts happen to be one of many avenues the Lord has been utilizing to change many young lives.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. [25] And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. [26] Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus, I fight: not as one who beats the air. [27] But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
In essence, this is what we teach our athletes! This portion of scripture encompasses so much truth for everyday life; and with great hope, we pass it along to all we come in contact with on the karate floor.
So now we say to you: No matter where you find yourself in life at this moment, please know that you, too, were fearfully and wonderfully made!
You are His workmanship.
You are loved beyond measure.
Your very presence in the lives of all who you come in contact with changes history for the better every day.
You are far greater than what has happened to you.
May Father’s love be released in your heart, and let His peace be your portion daily.