Lessons along a Rocky Road

God often speaks to me through movies, and recently, He told me to watch the 2006 installment of the Rocky movies...Rocky Balboa. I took notes throughout the viewing, relishing how God spoke directly into my own personal struggles by connecting insights from the film with heavenly perspective. Today's blog post is my attempt to share what I am learning...and what I firmly believe will transform all of our journeys if we commit to put it into practice. (I originally wanted to quote directly from the movie, but I settled for paraphrasing the specific lessons instead.)

“Where are you hanging out? That's where you're going.”

Towards the beginning of the film, Rocky is visiting and revisiting his old favorite spots in memory of his deceased wife Adrian over and over and over, to the horror of his brother-in-law who insists they need to move on. In response, Rocky makes an insightful claim about a location becoming part of your identity. This calls to mind another maxim floating around in the world of faith: beholding is becoming.

While we may have reasons for remaining too long in a particular place (physically or emotionally), let’s be careful what we’re staring at long-term & where we’re spending the majority of our time—because that’s what we’re giving our hearts to. We are told to guard our hearts, because the wellspring of life flows from them (Prov. 4:23). If where you look is where you will go, are you moving in the right direction?

“If you're being challenged, that's a good thing!”

Our culture has become averse to challenges, so much so that we often become deeply offended and crippled by difficulties, allowing the pain to derail our destinies, twist our view of God, and maim our identities. "God is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18). He’s infinitely compassionate, ready to show up wherever you need a hand up.

However, most of society's favorite quotes from the Rocky movies echo the biblical command to not be “surprised when fiery trials come…as if something strange were happening to you,” (1 Peter 4:12-13) but to “count it all joy” (James 1:2-4) for the endurance and character you will obtain. This is seriously one of the best things we can model in this hurting generation and teach our children. Hard times will come; that’s a given. But thanks to Christ, they all contain opportunities. What are we going to do with those?

“Don't want to feel empty? Don't leave others that way.”

Rocky’s quirky colloquialisms are often strangely thought-provoking, but that's not his only charm. In spite of his awkwardness, Rocky is such a profound character because he is willing to give of himself wherever he can—often leaving people flummoxed by his unsolicited generosity. For example, rather than sitting around moping because his adult son doesn’t give him the time of day, he pours his pain into helping his needy neighbor, the local homeless guy, and his troubled brother-in-law. He’s not giving up on connection with his son; he's simply willing to adjust his expectations and use what he has to enrich the lives of others without waiting for them to ask for it, deserve it, or bless him in return. And from that, his emptiness is paradoxically filled.

“Don't just call yourself a fighter--fight.”

This one is simple but also widely forgotten in our day and age: do what you want to be known as. You don’t appoint yourself a “fighter” because you want people to see you that way. You fight, and you are one. This can apply to anything you feel called to. The life of faith is going to be messier than you ever expected, but it’s so important to allow your belief to become action (James 2:18-26). Don’t just dream. DO.

“I don’t get scared.”

Rocky smirks gently when the cocky young fighter says this in his face before they step into the ring. He smiles because the young man has just foolishly revealed a deep vulnerability—not something you want to do before facing a heavyweight champion in a fight. Conversely, Rocky is willing to let go of what he becomes in others’ eyes. His humility, self-respect, and experience gives him true, tested confidence that pushes through fear while “Dixon’s” cockiness is simply based on youthful bravado that’s never been pushed to the breaking point.

Rocky succeeds all throughout his life (even through losing and hurting) because he isn’t just skating by on ego, trying to prove something. He understands his why—his deeper reason for fighting, and he’s willing to dig deep to reach it rather than buckling under surface pressure. He understands that true bravery doesn’t involve a lack of fear but being willing to move forward in spite of what you’re feeling or facing. Psalm 18 and Ephesians 4:15 remind us that we’re equipped by God and not our own innate talents. It's His image that we’re growing up into, to obtain an “imperishable crown” (1 Cor. 9:25). Christ is our Why.

“You will get hit. Winners hit back.”

This is a short paraphrase of one of "Rocky's" most widely-beloved quotes, but it represents yet another dying art in our culture that needs to be revived by the people of God. We need to stop assuming that we won’t be hit. The gift of knowing Jesus doesn’t shield you from this reality (look what happened to Jesus in His own lifetime).

But if we walk in our Master’s footsteps and stand in His strength, we will be equipped with a physical and mental game plan for how to move forward in spite of the hits that keep coming. This kind of fortitude isn’t something that happens by accident. It comes from a deep, abiding commitment to Christ and the belief that He will be sufficient to help you push through pain and grow stronger. This perspective helps us cultivate vision and a willingness to own our journeys rather than resenting the unfairness wrapped up in them.

Today, make a fresh commitment to own your story, daring to believe that it’s good (even with the painful chapters) because your God is good (Heb. 12:2). Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of your place in Christ, help you access your why, and give you a hand up. Then, fight and win.

“All this comes from God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ Jesus and through us spreads the fragrant knowledge of Him everywhere (2 Cor. 2:14)!

Stallone, Sylvester, Director. Rocky Balboa. Screenplay by Sylvester Stallone. MGM, 2006. YouTube, Uploaded by YouTube Movies & TV, Rocky Balboa