As we have discussed before, the world often wonders how martial arts can be an expression of faith and how faith can be combined with martial arts. While perusing my bible today I found this passage which I believe is the best explanation yet of how we should behave in life, and what we strive for in our martial arts program.
2 Peter 1:3-7, His devine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and prescious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith [virtue]; and to [virtue], knowledge; and to knowledge, self control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love (NIV).
The world is consumed by all kinds of evil desires; Yet we have the promise that we can escape the world and partake of a higher living! The first paragraph shows us this, and our martial arts program is about just that. Rising above worldly influences, and becomming an individual, capable of making good decisions for both our spiritual lives, and our physical lives.
The second paragraph shows the development of spirituality that we are to strive for. That development mirrors the development of a martial artist! We start martial arts with the belief that it can make us better. Our faith as Christians is the same way. We then progress to virtue (i like to call this resolve), or striving to do better everyday. Just like a new Christian. As we strive we grow in knowledge we increase our abilities. As our abilities increase so does our self control. We slowly are able to overcome our desires and grow stronger and strong, and more focused.
As we gain self control we can see the ultimate goal in the distance (black belt or heaven) and we know we must persevere. As we persevere we develop godliness or take on the character of those who'm we aspire to be like (Jesus or an instructor...but it better be Jesus you ultimately want to be like). As we get closer and closer to the goal we develop brotherly kindness (we desire to do all we can to help people) and finally we develop love. In love we endure all things, protect the innocent, and strive to save souls and lives.
It is my hope that as you progress in martial arts you will relfect upon this scripture. As you do so, look at both martial arts and your faith, see if you are growing as the scripture says. If you are truly striving for the goal of black belt and heaven, you will see that it shows inside the dojang and out. |
