STANDING IN THE FIGHT: (Lessons from the Rumble in the Jungle)
On October 30, 1974 (just a few months after I was born) in Kinshasa, Zaire, a fight took place that would be remembered for generations. Muhammad Ali, at 32 years old, faced George Foreman, who was only 25, in what came to be called the Rumble in the Jungle. Foreman was feared around the world for his sheer power and ferocity. He had crushed opponents with frightening ease, and many believed no man could withstand him. Ali, however, entered the ring not with fear but with strategy, patience, and confidence in his own preparation. What happened that night would teach the world far more than just the beauty of boxing; it would teach about perseverance, wisdom, and trusting the right timing.
Ali used a strategy that became legendary. He allowed Foreman to punch freely, using what he famously called the “rope-a-dope.” Leaning against the ropes, Ali absorbed the blows, letting his opponent tire himself out while he conserved energy. He studied Foreman’s tendencies, understanding that power without patience was a weakness. As the rounds wore on, Foreman’s punches grew slower and less precise, and Ali, calm and patient, saw the opportunity he had been waiting for. In the eighth round, he unleashed a combination that floored Foreman and secured one of the most remarkable knockouts in boxing history.
The fight itself was a masterclass in patience, endurance, and trust in timing. Ali did not try to outmatch Foreman’s raw strength. He did not rely on his own instincts alone. He followed a plan, executed it faithfully, and waited for the perfect moment to act. The significance of the fight went beyond the ring. In that night in Zaire, Ali cemented his status as the greatest of all time in the eyes of the world, not merely for his athletic ability but for his discipline, courage, and wisdom.
Christianity, in many ways, calls us to fight in the same spirit. Life will bring its punches. We will face trials and challenges that seem overwhelming, that come with the force of a heavyweight champion. But the way we respond matters. We are called to take the hits, to remain steadfast, and to preserve our strength for the moments God allows us to act. Like Ali, we must understand our opponent—sin, temptation, and the pressures of the world—and recognize that patience and trust in God’s timing are as crucial as bold action.
Just as Ali trusted his plan and his training, we trust in the work of Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We do not fight with our own strength alone. We lean on God’s Word, on prayer, and on His promises. We wait, we stand, we persevere, and when the right moment comes, we act in faith. Christianity teaches us that endurance, discipline, and patience are not passive—they are the marks of a fighter who knows victory is certain in the hand of the Lord. Just as the Rumble in the Jungle showed the world the greatness of Muhammad Ali, a life lived faithfully in Christ shows the power and wisdom of God at work in us, and the greatness of Jesus Christ.
BDD
