Champion
About a week or so ago, I was having a quiet moment in my room, playing worship music and trying to listen to anything the Holy Spirit might be saying. I heard a few things and meant to listen more, but ended up forgetting due to all the stuff that happens during the week. I kept thinking about it and felt it again this evening. When I made my way to start writing, I remembered what I had heard and what I wanted to write about. This is what I remembered…
Sitting back, I felt emotionally overwhelmed by the warm, comforting Presence that the atmosphere of music and quiet. I was feeling a little frustrated and annoyed about something, but it washed away and stopped mattering. I lay there listening and feeling, and felt like I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit remind me of all the victory I had experienced in the last year and the blessings that rolled in with supernatural speed. I felt pressed not to pick up any old abandoned worry or anxiety that I had no right to go back and dig for.
I kept hearing the word “champion” through all these images and impressions. I recognized that it was a word I had a responsibility to associate with myself. It doesn’t mean I have to work hard or strive to achieve it, because it already defines me. That feels a little strange to write, because from the outside it reads at least a little like a boast. But I know that I have endured hard things — really hard things — and came out the other side stronger. I keep being reminded and shocked at how much effort went into moving just to get in and out of class or in and out of the restroom when I was in middle school. These were thing that would probably annoy any medical professional dealing with cases similar to mine if I said I did them — and did them without help.
But, of course, I did have help. I am a Champion not because I worked hard (even though I have), but because that was already paid for. I don’t fully understand how or why, but I know that I was given special strength when I needed it, and that the things I “just did” that were “just” normal were and are truly remarkable. It didn’t come from me, but from the Savior who called me before I was born. I have much more ease of access to help and accommodation, and I know those are even bigger blessings, protecting me from muscle pain and even the concern of eventual damage to my person. What I can do or what I can’t do do not matter in the least, because I have not been alone.
One of the definitions of the word champion, out of the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is “one that does battle for another’s rights or honor.” I already have a Champion who won my battle, but I am His champion, representing Him. I do that by living every day, and I have help to do that without striving and without stress every day. Another definition that I liked very much defines “champion” (this time as a verb) as an act of militant defiance. I defy the lies and schemes of darkness just by living, with a condition that should, by all means, rob me of energy and joy and life. But it never comes close.
I sometimes don’t really think of myself as doing things loud or vibrant enough to be considered “champion status” — I just work and smile and live because it’s what I’ve always known to do. It just happens and I enjoy the ride as it does. But I know that heaven sees a champion, already crowned with more laurels than I could ever earn or push for. They have been gifted to me, because of the Champion who represents me, who I serve as a champion for. All I have to do is be me. All I have to do is keep working. All I have to do is rejoice, because everything else has already been taken care of. I may not see it yet, but my grand prize has been won.
All this was a very, very good thing for me to remember, worth looking back to as long as I live. I hope it can inspire you to look inward and look back to see what has already happened in your life, and that you will listen to what Heaven says about you, too. Don’t pick up what’s already been thrown off and left far behind. See what has been done; keep doing what you are called to do. You are the champion of Heaven’s Champion.
“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head.
This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.
All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:45–47)
