Fight the Good Fight--Spoken Word Delivered by Lloyd D. Newell

Fight the Good Fight

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

Some see life as a battle, with competitors on every side. They fight for parking spaces and places in lines, for jobs and opportunities, for advancement and recognition. Each day seems to be a fight to stay ahead and win at all costs. Yes, life can be competitive—but it doesn’t have to pit us against each other. The fight of life is most often against discouragement and fear, against tragedies and setbacks—and these are enemies that we all face at one time or another. In this battle, we are not competitors but teammates. To be successful, we need each other. Even the most challenging trials seem more manageable when a friend or loved one stands beside us. Sometimes just knowing that we’re not alone is enough to help us stay hopeful. Some 2,000 years ago, the Apostle Paul said toward the end of his life, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Paul’s life was not without tribulation and suffering, but at the end of it all, his faith and hope were strong with the sweet assurance that he had fought a good fight. However, Paul did more than just fight his own good fight. It was just as important to him to strengthen others in their struggles, encouraging them, as he did in a letter to his young friend Timothy, to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). Whenever we see those who live for many years with disabilities and disadvantages and yet do the best they can, we gain courage to face our own trials. We’re inspired by others who, while experiencing their own heartache and sorrow, somehow find a way to reach out to others in love and kindness. We draw strength from so many who every day are fighting the good fight of faith and hope despite overwhelming challenges. They refuse to become bitter and have chosen instead to become better and, in a remarkable way, to help those around them become better too. These are difficult days for many. Today, more than ever, we need to help each other fight the good fight with all our might. Program #4207 Musical Selections: 1. Rejoice, the Lord Is King John Darwell; arr. Mack Wilberg; Oxford University Press 2. Let the Whole Creation Cry Robert Leaf; Augsburg Publishing 3. Pilgrim's Chorus from Tannhauser Richard Wagner; G Schirmer 4. Aria on "Jewels" (Organ Solo) Dale Wood; Sacred Music Press 5. Spoken Word 6. Fight the Good Fight with All Thy Might John Gardner; Oxford University Press 7. Come to My Garden from My Secret Garden Lucy Simon; arr. Kurt Bestor; ABCDE Publishing; arr. Pinnacle Music Group 8. The Lord Bless You and Keep You John Rutter; Oxford University Press