“This ain’t no garden party, brother, this is wrestling, where only the strongest survive.”- Ric Flair
Pro wrestling is a difficult business, it takes untold amounts of training, marketing, networking, and wrecks your body. Flair knew this and when he spoke, it was out of a position of familiarity with what it means to be “in the business.”
When Ric would look into the camera and told us that the wrestling business was tough, we knew that he was speaking from experience. And ever since his debut in 1972, Ric has beaten the odds, remained in the limelight, and stayed relevant for over 36 years.
But it is his admonition that “the business” was difficult that we look deeper into his words. Pro wrestling is a mirror for real life, you struggle against whatever adversary or force that opposes you until there is a victor. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but you must always strive to overcome.
In many ways, Ric Flair reminds me of Joseph in the Bible….
Joseph was the favorite on of Jacob and his brother despised him. They sold him into slavery where he wound up at an Egyptian official named Potiphar’s home. Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph and he was thrown into prison where he interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams and saved Egypt. Pharaoh was so grateful he made Joseph second in command over all of Egypt.
A famine broke out in Egypt and because of Joseph’s wisdom, there was enough grain stored away to feed all of Egypt. And one day, Joseph’s came to ask for grain…from Joseph. And he gave the grain to them. And he forgave them of their wrong doing. And brought the whole family to Egypt, gave them places to live and jobs.
So, you have to ask…Why?How could Joseph forgive his brothers?
Like Flair, Joseph knew that only the strong survived. And Joseph had learned where true strength came from. God had allowed all of the events in Joseph’s life to happen so that one day, he would save a nation, reconcile his family, and proclaim the name of the Most High God to all of Egypt, and to all of us today.
Joseph’s inner strength came from his relationship and obedience to God. Joseph was tested under some of the harshest circumstances to see if he was ready for God to move in his life. Because of that testing, Joseph was ready for whatever challenges he would face.
Life is a lot like wrestling, only the strong survive…
Where does YOUR strength come from?
For further study: Read through Genesis 37-47
Nice job! Reminds me of two others I love and respect who may be going thru what Joseph did. Think Dave needs to read this!
Love ya!
True. I know that this is a VERY unorthodox approach, but I believe that we really need to leverage our culture. Ric Flair is a hero to a lot of us, even though he has not led the most “Christian” life, it’s his wrestling legacy that he leaves us. That’s why this series is important to me. His words connect to people on several levels, and I pray that it connects to people who might not ever step into a church.