I have been studying the Guardian Martial Arts since August of 2005. Even before I began my training in earnest, I was fascinated with the samurai warrior of Japan. Very few ideals, in my mind, were better examples of serenity and decisive action than that of the samurai.
The word samurai literally means”one who serves”. As great as the samurai were, their greatness was not merely in their combat ability. They recognized that loyalty and service to one’s lord, or “daimyo”, gave their lives meaning and significance far beyond that of victory on the battlefield or successful duels.
My combat ability far exceeds what most Americans are likely to need throughout the entirety of their lifetime. Two out of three people will go their whole lives without a single fight. Why then do I train? I train because it reminds me of the service I am called to give God and my fellow human beings. I train to gain power and strength, but power and strength in subjection to humility and love.
The highest ideal for me is powerful selflessness. I continue to strive to be the absolute best I can be. I do hard stuff on purpose, and I continue to learn as much as I can, so that I am better tomorrow than I was today. I do all of this not to serve myself. I do this so the world is better because I am in it. Jesus is the greatest example of this powerful selflessness. God incarnate, Jesus used all of His power to serve humanity. He saved us from our sins. He gave us a way out and a path to eternal life. Jesus did not have to die for us. He chose to do so in loving service because he desired us to know God and have freedom from death and sin.
A servant warrior continually strives to increase in strength and power. They look for ways to do something, not excuses to avoid it. They train body, soul, and spirit. Each day, and every day, they strive to become more. All this effort is not only used to make their own lives better. The ultimate goal of a servant warrior is to love God and others as completely as possible.
I use the ideal of a servant warrior to remind me of the importance of growth and love. I have been blessed with talents and abilities. I ought to use and develop them. I am not the center of the universe. I have an obligation to make it a better place for others. I strive for perfection, knowing it is a compass heading and not a destination. It is my prayer and hope that the ideal of the servant warrior will be of help to anyone who needs it.
-Joshua
