Apply the Technique

One of the best pieces of advice that one of my coaches gave me was that if I were to watch BJJ videos on YouTube, I should watch videos of competition matches or rolling sessions instead of tutorials on techniques. There are a plethora of techniques a person can learn by watching a tutorial, but to see them applied in real live rolling session is another matter. It’s easy to see how a technique works in a tutorial or when drilling because the partner is cooperating with you. Theory can be demonstrated but, to truly test it, time must spent on the mat rolling – and with a person who is actively opposing you.

Though even watching techniques applied during live rolling cannot substitute first-hand experience of sparring and rolling. That would be like going to a restaurant trying to satisfy your hunger by just reading the menu. Unseen variables such as timing, angles, and adjustments due to varying body types cannot be learned from just watching tutorials or matches. Positions and technique can only be truly understood by live rolling.

Just like in Jiu Jitsu, our spiritual lives and our faith cannot be rooted on just reading the Word, and our understanding based on watching and listening to a pastor, though they have their benefits. Often times we read the “menu” to know of Jesus yet we fail to ingest the Living Word Himself (John 1:1) and have Him live out in our everyday life and become a part of our very being. Jesus said “I am the bread of life…” in John 6:35. We need to have a deeper understanding of His character, have Him actively living in us while we live out our faith and allow our faith to be tested.

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” – 1 Peter 1:6-7

We can claim to know Jesus but to truly understand Him, is to have life experience, have a relationship with Him, and reflect Him in all that we do. We can see the example in the life of Paul who was a deeply religious man and who had a massive knowledge of the scriptures as he was an educated Pharisee (Philippians 3:4-6). Though it was only when he had a face-to-face encounter with Jesus that he had a true understanding and transformative experience (Philippians 3:7-11). Let’s pray that our faith is applied and tested thoroughly, where it will grow us closer to our Lord, and reveal to the world a reflection of what our Savior Jesus Christ has done in our lives.

Written by Andy Truong

About Andy Truong

Andy was born and raised in the DMV area and has a background in Exercise Science from George Mason University. In addition to BJJ and volunteering in his local church, Andy’s passions include weight training, health and fitness, nutrition, camping, hiking, music, songwriting, guitar, and experiencing new cultures and foods.