To follow Christ is to Struggle and Fight.

Jeff writes on the significance of 'struggle'

I think that too many people (at least here in the USA) have decided that any kind of personal conflict, struggle, or suffering must be avoided at all costs.

This is why mediocrity has become such a problem in our schools, workplaces, and even churches. We simply have lost the fact that to follow Christ means to suffer/struggle/fight.

It seems that God's excellence is best seen in His own suffering at the cross. In other words, it was through Christ's "fight" against humanities sins that we see the full potential of God's mercy.

Likewise, we cannot reach our own potential without "fighting" against the obstacles in our paths. I'm all for using combative sports as a practical method to teach people of all ages the rewards of discipline and hard work.