Sometime in 2008, I saw a movie directed by Zack Snyder
and distributed by Warner bros. It was titled 300. It tells a tale of the king
Leonidas, himself a Spartan who was faced with the aggression and intimidation
of Xerxes, the god-like king of Persia. The movie spoke of how Leonidas’ 300
men almost triumphed over an army of thousands but for a traitor named
Ephialtes. The movie was about courage, tactics and a relentless passion to
fight for what rightly belongs to one. But unfortunately, the battle claimed
lives, of the 300. They were mere men. Despite their courage and great effort,
they were defeated.
Long before 2008 however, I was in children church and
the teacher told of certain 300 men led by Gideon who defied an army of a nation.
This was so like Leonidas but unlike Leonidas, this was reality, this was true
and much more importantly, this ended in victory. They were not mere men; they
obtained the victory. Faced with great uncertainty, and much disability, they
appeared to have no chance of victory. They were outnumbered. They faced an
army that was better equipped, more armed and better prepared. But still they
had the victory! The difference maker
was Jehovah. By God, Gideon and his crazy 300 men turned a suicidal mission to a
telling victory!
Everywhere I look, I see the 300 of my generation, the
300 crazy men of my time. Men who were faced with great seemingly
insurmountable challenge in their search for significance; men who have defied
all laws, who encountered daunting problems on their march to greatness, yet
they conquered, yet they won, and all they had was God. I look back at people
who keep winning in the battles of life, and say, ‘who would have thought’.
No one gave them a chance. Life didn’t start good. Tales
of silver spoons were things read in books, for these were men brought up with
no spoon. Yet despite all, they have risen above their challenges. Yes, they
were courageous, believing and relentless like Leonidas. And unlike him, they
had an asset: God. He was the difference maker. He was the only force that
could guarantee not only their victory, but their life. Now like Gideon, they
can tell the tales of their triumph themselves, for they lived to fight another
day. These are my gladiators, my Spartans, my 300…they are everyday people.
Some have shot out of poor miry backgrounds, to become
kings in their clan. Thanks be to God who gives the victory. This piece is
dedicated to all my friends and many more others who I do not even know. I know
where you started from, I know where you are today, and this can be nothing but
God. Blessed be God for the courage and grace. I raise my wineglass to more
victories in your life.
Fisayo Adeniyi
Pursuing Purpose...
Twitter: @fisayospeaks
Facebook: Fisayo.Adeniyi
fisayoadeniyi@gmail.com
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