Joshua Clottey was named Joshua for nothing. He is a strong contender of the welterweight belt in boxing. He bravely fought a formidable foe in the person of a seven-division champion Manny Pacquiao before a crowd of some 50 thousands spectators at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. But unlike the Biblical Joshua he failed to demolished the Wall of Jericho in Manny Pacquiao. The Filipino champion retained his crown to the jubilation of millions of his Filipino and non-Filipino supporters and fans. Celebrities around the world who admired the Pacman’s excellence in boxing congratulated the people’s champ.
Before the fight people around the world already knew who was going to win in that boxing match. They knew Joshua Clottey would be the loser; although some still believed one lucky punch could send Pacquiao down kissing the canvass. But there was none of it. The people’s champ battered Clottey with a barrage of combination punches but failed too to send the contenders down like what the Pacman did to his previous opponents in the ring. Clottey admitted defeat but not in the sense he was overpowered (knock out) by the Pacman; Clottey said during the after fight interview that the Filipino boxer had no power at all except his speed.
But such a statement is debatable anyway for Clottey did nothing but cover his face and went on giving his body as a target for the Pacman. The boxing champ was so frustrated also that Clottey did not really come to fight but perhaps to many people’s opinion (including mine) to practice. Many believe Clottey climbed the ring to survive not really to demolish the boxing champion. And because he survived, he felt he is a stronger boxer after the defeat. Yes, he can face anybody now believing he has the body of an iron and could fight a much stronger and determined warrior with his incoming fights. To him perhaps this is a victory. Losing has two faces to people who are sensitive enough to go beyond the standard parameters of winning: defeat if you think everything has come to an end; but victory if you think you have found the way.
The Biblical Joshua succeeded in demolishing the wall of Jericho because God was with him. It was his faith and reliance to God’s will that enabled him to enjoin people to do the impossible. For trumpets and shouts of people alone have enabled them to overcome one highly fortified city. But then again is the thought for what is a man without God. For what is human strength and power without God?
“When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. 21 They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys. (Joshua 6: 20-21)”
“Wherever the ark went, the people attended it. God’s ministers, by the trumpet of the everlasting gospel, which proclaims liberty and victory, must encourage the followers of Christ in their spiritual warfare. As promised deliverances must be expected in God’s way, so they must be expected in his time. At last the people were to shout: they did so, and the walls fell. This was a shout of faith; they believed the walls of Jericho would fall. It was a shout of prayer; they cry to Heaven for help, and help came. (Jos 6:17-27)”
If we look upon God and call him for help to lead us from our miseries, no matter what happens to us, we will always be the winner. Winning may not necessarily getting results, it is getting resolves on how to strengthen of ties with the Lord.
We are all champions so there is no reason to fear. For those who have faith in God, they will always find a way to win. Why don’t you turn your eyes upon Jesus and be a constant winner ?
KLINIKA BOBONYO @ your service 