Revolutionary Leaders

American Gladiator

Well, with the continued writers strike in Hollywood, there seems to be nothing to watch on TV except an over-abundance of reality shows and game shows. I'm not a huge reality show fan but I will occasionally watch Survivor or the Apprentice. All the game shows have been a bit annoying as well. Shows like 1 vs 100, Deal or No Deal, and Are you Smarter Than A Fifth Grader drive me nuts - mostly the host of the show.

The TVland gurus have, however, resurrected a reality/game show that has become a family favorite for us - American Gladiator! It is absolutely awesome. My wife and three boys love to watch these average people take on, and sometimes defeat, these larger-than-life athletes. To me it's like giving a random individual an opportunity to compete against a superhero. It sounds crazy but it's fun to watch.

It also reminds me of the reality of the battle that we are in everyday. We face physical obstacles and spiritual opponents all the time. At times those obstacels and opponents seem larger-than-life and impossible to overcome. We try and do the right thing, the right way, but there is a gladiator bigger than Toa blocking our path to victory.

What do you do in those moments? What should we do? The Bible tells us that "greater is HE that is in us, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4)." "So if God be for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)?" The Bible also says that "NO weapon formed against us shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17) ." In fact, "the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds (2 Cor. 10:4)." Jesus even said, "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions (and Gladiators) and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you (Luke 10:19)."

Gladiators ready? Contestants ready? Let's go kick some gladiator butt!