Beauty in the struggle
In 2011, a movie called Warrior, came out starring Tom Hardy (who played Bane in TDKR) and Tom Egerton (The Great Gatsby). The story is about two brothers and their father. The family is estranged with the brothers both having their own personal issues. The story leads them both to get back into MMA fighting.
Now this is a spoiler, if you want to watch the movie, don’t read the rest of what I will write. You've been warned! Although you've had 9 years to watch it...
Now the brothers face one another at the end, to fight for the prize and title. The fight is intense because it’s not all about winning at this point in the film. There is more going on between these brothers. They trade punches, but it’s the years of struggle building up to this moment.
While the brothers are fighting, the oldest named Brendan (Egerton) dislocates his brother Tommy’s arm (Hardy). You’d think he’d submit, but that’s not the case. Tommy continues to fight. Brendan tries to tell him to stop but Tommy’s anger, disappointment, and rage keeps him going. Eventually Brendan starts wailing on him and it leads to this beautiful scene (Posted above).
The final round starts with beautiful music played by none other than The National. Brendan looks out in the crowd and sees his father, he nods, and Brendan knows what he needs to do. Tommy who is currently in an emotional and physical crisis, keeps on a strong face. Brendan then literally kicks him in the head and puts Tommy on the ground. Now this is where the real beauty happens. While putting Tommy in a choke-hold, Brendan apologizes to his brother. He apologizes and eventually tells Tommy, he loves him. He also tells him to tap.
Tommy taps and then the stadium erupts with cheers but Brendan's focus is on Tommy. He shoos away cameras and people and holds his brother. He then walks out of the stadium with his arm on his brother. Then the movie ends.
Now I didn’t do justice for the movie or this scene. That's why I posted it above. Most people probably think it’s weird that I found beauty in a MMA fight scene but that’s what good movies do. They can make you feel something even in weird moments.
GRIT
As I was thinking about it, my mind thought about this movie “Warrior” because it reveals something that I believe to be the beginning of grit. Grit, in my mind begins, when there is submission. That might seem like a weird statement. I agree, submission isn’t typically paired with Grit. Actually it’s almost the opposite if we are talking about perseverance.
Remember the description (or watching) that was given above about this scene from a movie. During the fight, Brendan has Tommy in a headlock and he’s apologizing and expressing his love towards his brother. It’s in this struggle, where when Tommy finally gives in that he is lifted up by his brother and able to find freedom.
Due to who I am, my mind then goes to the Bible, to a book called Genesis. There is an account about a man named Jacob. Now Jacob, to give context, was the son of Issac and he had a brother named Esau. Jacob and Esau don’t have the best relationship. Since the beginning, Jacob was always a fighter. During the birth he was grasping the heel of his brother Esau upon being born. Later on Esau gives up his birthright for some stew and then loses his father’s blessing because Jacob tricked Isaac. It's clear why these brothers' might not be on the best of terms.
As the narrative progresses, we see that Jacob eventually flees because he fears his brother and goes on to marry two wives, has twelve kids, and he is blessed by God even if he doesn't see it. During this time of building a family, he's dealing a family member named Laban. Jacob believes he's doing him dirty, so he tries to leave without Laban knowing. Of course, it doesn't work and they work through some things and make covenant, which then leads us to the main part of the narrative that I believe shows submission.
This is the part they fight...
This is an odd narrative because Jacob sends stuff to his brother Esau hoping to curve his anger. He also sends his family away and possessions. Now Jacob is alone. Jacob being alone is interesting, because if he fears his brother, you’d think he’d want protection.
The next thing we read is that while Jacob's alone and a “man” shows up and they wrestle till daybreak. During this fight, Jacob has the “man” pinned. The man then just touches his hip and dislocates that hip joint. All this is interesting. I mean I don’t know about you but I have so many questions. Why were they wrestling? Is this more figurative than real? Why was Jacob still able to pin this guy after having his hip messed with?
All this culminated to the peak of this narrative when the “man” sees that he cannot escape the grasp of Jacob. Jacob, while probably in pain, is fighting this battle because he realizes something special about this person. Jacob then says that he won’t let him go until this “man” blesses him. This man then asks his name; to which Jacob gives his name. This mysterious guest then renames him Israel because he struggled with God and man and had overcome.
Then Jacob asked this person what his name was to which the person said “why” and blessed him. Then Jacob names the place where he wrestled, Peniel, which means seeing God face to face (https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/peniel/). Jacob says that he saw God face to face and his life was spared.
This is a very fascinating account in the Bible. There is lots to unpack, but my main point is submission. In this story, submission is interesting. It’s not what most people think when they hear the word. I mean, wasn’t it Jacob, that had this “man” or God pinned. Yes that is true but it was Jacob that noticed that this match was more for his soul.
When Jacob asked for the blessing, he realized this was no ordinary stranger. Jacob knew that he needed what this person had for him. He knew that this man could give him what he needs. I think due to what he says later in the narrative, he realized he was literally fighting with God. In my mind, Jacob was probably tired of fighting.
Think of it this way. Jacob was working in his own strength. Jacob had used his own strength to get the birthright and blessing from his brother. Jacob then had to work 14 years for the woman he loved. He had all the riches and was blessed abundantly with children.
These things, although from God, Jacob never understood fully.
It wasn’t until he had been in this wrestling match, that he realized that his own strength wasn’t enough. I mean the “man” he wrestled touched his leg and it was messed up.
Jacob could keep fighting in his own strength or give into something better. Jacob ends the battle by asking for the blessing. He knows he needs it. I think it’s amazing because his name change says it all about Jacob. He’s always fought whether with God or man. He then prevailed.
That last part always stands out to me. He prevailed. That was the moment when Jacob understood, He needed God. He needed to give in. He needed to not depend on his own strength but that which God gives. Although, it would still be cool if he did pin God or an angel of God (whichever you believe).
In the end, Jacob (now Israel) meets with Esau, and Esau was excited to see him. It ends in a way where the brothers both honor one another. God gave Jacob the push to trust that all would be well.
So what's the point?
So what does this have to do with Grit? Well, everything. We as Christians do need to struggle with God. We have to wrestle with questions, scripture, and prayer (convos w/God). In this struggle, we are able to build the spirit to keep pushing. Letting go and trusting that Jesus is all we need, in order to take the punches of the world.
We can kick, scream, and fight to the bitter end. We will find ourselves on a sinking ship. It’s in the moment, we give up and allow Jesus to take charge, and we can embrace the unknown in peace. He can change us. It doesn’t need to be our name but it can be how we carry ourselves. It can be in the way we serve others. It could be being honest about our struggles and addictions.
Letting go, is the beginning of grit. When Jesus comes into our lives, we are able to walk knowing that we have someone who is with us (Matthew 28:20). This doesn’t mean we will always be peachy and not doubt, but it gives us a context to refocus our hearts.
Submission isn’t a bad thing. It can be scary. Yet, in a place of humble submission, we can finally open our eyes to the One who doesn’t focus on our faults, but has prepared a place at the table for us. He is the restorer of our souls. How can we become strong, unless we become weak? Jesus gives us strength but we must let go first. We sometimes need to tap and allow God to build us up in his image.
