I found the sword unusual. It looked like a traditional samurai sword, but it seemed short, and it appeared straight. Doesn’t look like a normal katana, which is what I would have expected.

The sword wasn’t the point, though. The large, athletic, and surprisingly fast and agile black guy had just passed his black belt exam, receiving his belt and certificate from one of the South’s most important names in American Karate. Any time someone reaches black belt, it’s a big deal, but this one was notable. The black belt panel that observed his test included individuals from multiple systems and schools. Even amongst the rest of us observing there was a mix of schools, a mix of communities, and a pleasant contrast of students in the martial arts, and people not wearing the traditional gi (uniform). It was a striking confluence of brotherhood, mentorship, community. It was the body of Christ in a place where most wouldn’t expect to find it.

All of the above looked on as the now black belt came to the end of a road of struggle, of discipline, of sacrifice, of putting Christ at the center of his life despite the cost. The Lord redeemed him out of a life where he had used his abilities in boxing and body building for personal gain to a life where these things would be developed for the apparent glory of God. There had been heartache, disappointment, but also rejoicing, fulfillment, and the realization of dreams, the least of which not being his new permanent belt color.

I am getting back to the sword, which he did not receive from his instructor, his sensei, the really “important” guy. He received it from his friend, one of the black belts who sat on the panel. Together these men, with others, have begun a martial arts ministry that essentially began as, and still is, a small group in the friend’s church. They meet over the Word and use the martial arts as a direct route to the heart. The whole thing is family oriented. It’s also taking root in other churches and in community outreach. It was squelched for years before the Lord gave the green light, but the perseverance of vision and grace had led the friend along with the new black belt to this point, the culmination. It was his friend who presented him with the sword, and a blessing.

Actually, the friend’s wife had to read the blessing, a testimonial to the grace and work of the Lord over the years in the new black belt’s journey. The speech was frequently punctuated by an intentional “Praise God!” written into the document. It was also punctuated by the tears of the friend, which is why his wife had to read it.

Now a sword is a relatively common gift to someone receiving their black belt, but I was compelled to ask the thought behind this particular instance. As the friend told me, swords were traditionally given as gifts to commemorate a struggle that the recipient had been through. It was a symbol as much as anything else. Everyone who paid attention in Sunday School as a child also knows that a sword is a symbol for the Word. This was expressed with even more note.

I don’t think people understand this anymore, not the people around me, and probably not the people around you either. We think there is something barbaric and ridiculous about swords nowadays. We idolize sports heroes now, not war heroes. But life is “bloody” in a sense, and very much a struggle. Christians especially know this, or they should. While there is relating to the athlete, the pervasive imagery is of the Christian life as war, of the Christian equipped as a solider. The fight of our lives is life itself.

What a testimony. I couldn’t find any more profound words to compliment the beauty I had seen other than, “That was really beautiful.” I felt uncomfortable saying even that, seeing as it was a very manly situation and all. (.cough.) The sword was unique, and I think it was given out of circumstances and sentiment that, for this day and age, are equally unique. I think we’ve lost sight of a beautiful thing, having relegated the sword to the museum. I would find a deep significance in seeing them displayed in the homes of more men in this world, not as a symbol of achievement, but one of struggle, of grace, and of victory.

Draw your sword, black belt.
Show the world its gleam.
Grace and brotherhood
Have bestowed it upon you.
May it’s edge ever sharpen,
And your skill with it increase.
Rightly use and solemnly wear it
For all the world to see.