“This is my fight song,
Take back my life song,
Prove I’m alright song,
My power’s turned on
(Starting right now) I’ll be strong.
I’ll play my fight song,
And I don’t really care if nobody else believes…”
—From Fight Song by Rachel Platten

Rachel Platten has tapped into something pretty amazing — right? Her empowerment anthem is topping the charts, and people everywhere have been inspired to push on through difficult circumstances and make a difference — however big or small.

And I think the story behind the song is inspiring as well. In 2011, Platten released her first “hit” single, 1000 Ships. But she crashed in the following months. In her own words, Rachel said, “That single did make a little blip, and that was cool, but after that, things quickly dissolved. I lost my manager, I lost my label, I lost a lot of my support, and I was kind of left just trying to survey what was going on in my career and wondering if I was even going to try to continue” (Source: axs.com).

So after plunging to one of the lowest places she had ever been, she was challenged by her future manager to begin composing songs from her own viewpoint, instead of covering other people’s tunes.

And that was the turning point she needed to write a “take back my life, prove I’m alright” song.

Have you written that song for yourself yet? I believe everyone needs a fight song, but not one that revolves around you yourself. You see, there is a fine line between self-empowerment and narcissism, and frankly, not all “fights” are worth fighting for!

So what is worth fighting for, for you? For me? Are there any fights that should involve everyone?

Absolutely! Because when you think of causes or movements that you can get behind, there is only one that will have a lasting impact here on earth that will go on for eternity: “…Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:11b-12, NLT).

If you are a follower of Christ, you have two choices. You can trust in Jesus for eternal life as a “fire insurance” policy — as if salvation was only for the after life. Or you can choose to “fight the good fight for the true faith” — as if salvation not only saved you from hell, it also saved you to a life-changing mission!

What is that mission? To share Jesus’ true message and to fight for the true faith — which obviously implies there are false messages and false faiths — yes? In other words, we are called to fight for and make known the Good News message that you don’t have to earn your salvation or that Jesus’ death and resurrection were enough to pay the penalty for our sins!

So how do we fight? Well of course we don’t fight physically, which is why the Apostle Paul gave us these instructions:

The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way — never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity (2 Corinthians 10:3-6, The Message).

These are fighting words if there ever were some — right? The Bible is not unclear or subtle about the way we should go about approaching the unprincipled culture that surrounds us. There are people being cheated on, lied to and ultimately deceived into a life destined for separation from God forever! So does this not make you angry and motivated to go to battle?

Sure, we live out our callings with love and respect, but that doesn’t mean we keep our mouths shut when injustice and the lies of Satan abound around us!

So I hope you can write a fight song for yourself — but not about yourself.  Fight for the souls of your friends and be used by God as a mighty leader for His Kingdom!

Flashpoint: Ignite Into Action

This week, take out a piece of paper and write out your fight song based on what you think God is calling you to. Then prayerfully ask Him to empower you to make a difference in the world!

Accelerant: Fuel for THE Cause

Pray:  Father, thank You that we can fight for what’s right and especially that we can battle for the souls of our friends. Empower us to live each day in the war against the enemy, and bring many people to a saving knowledge of You.

Read:2 Timothy 4:7. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 

Get: Fearless Student Devotional. Explore what it looks like to fearlessly live for Jesus! This 28-day devo unpacks the riches of the book of Ephesians and empowers you to make a difference in your world. A corresponding Fearless youth group curriculum is also available.