In the epic movie “Gladiators,” which I have only watched about a dozen times, the Roman general gives a speech to his troops as they are about to go into a great battle. His closing words were, “What you do in life, echoes in eternity.” While he had a different belief about the hereafter then we do as Christians, his words still ring true for us as we engage in a great spiritual battle.
How we live our life now, how faithful we remain, how many sacrifices we make, or burdens we must bear, in the end we are promised that our reward will make it all worth it. As Paul declared at the end of his struggles, “in the future there is laid up for me, the crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 3:8).
We are all Gladiators in a great arena, filled with all the faithful of God cheering us on (Heb. 12:1). We have been equipped with helmet, shield, and sword, fighting Satan and his “spiritual forces of darkness” (Eph. 6:10-17). How well are you fighting to win the victory? Remember, what you do in the arena of life will echo in eternity.
-Dennis Doughty
