Recently watched the movie Gladiator, which is in my top five favorites along side Braveheart, Last of The Mohicans and Passion of the Christ.

For those who have not seen this epic movie, here is a brief walk through of the movie.

The movie is set in the second century A.D. and tells the epic story of a warrior from Spain called Maximus. He is a commanding general of the Roman armies and is adored by his men and by the aging emperor Marcus Aurelius. The plot thickens when the emperor’s son Commodus learns of his fathers plan to make Maximus keeper of Rome so that rule might pass from the Caesars back to the people and Senate.

Before Marcus can name his successor, Commodus devastated my the disapproval and love of his father strangles him and declares himself emperor. When Maximus doesn’t acknowledge Commodus as emporor, Commodus sentenced Maximus to death and his wife and son to crucifixion and burning.

Maximus escapes, but too late to save his family and falls to the ground in anguish just to be picked up by slave traders where he becomes a gladiator.

A gladiator’s fate is normally a death sentence, but Maximus survives and becomes a champion. He is soon taken to Rome to perform in the Colosseum before emperor Commodus (who of course believes Maximus to be dead). After a remarkable display of courage and a stunning upset, the emperor comes down to meet this valiant gladiator whose identity remains hidden behind his mask.

[Commodus enters the arena. Maximus eyes an arrow in the dirt amongst the bloodied debris, kneels to pick it up. The gladiators follow Maximus’ action and also kneel.]

COMMODUS: Rise, rise.

[Lucius enters behind Commodus and Maximus looks disappointed. He does not want to attempt an attack on Commodus with the boy so close.]

COMMODUS: Your fame is well deserved, Spaniard. I don’t think there has been a gladiator to match you, as for this young man [Commodus holding Lucius in front him], he insists you are Hector reborn, or was it Hercules. Why doesn’t the hero reveal himself and tell us all your real name. You do have a name…?

MAXIMUS: My name is gladiator.

[Maximus slowly turns around and begins to walk back to the other gladiators.]

COMMODUS: How dare you show your back to me, SLAVE. You will remove your helmet and tell me your name… [The Praetorian take a ready-stand, and the gladiators, without weapons, move forward ready to fight with Maximus. Maximus stops, takes a deep breath, removes his helmet, and turns to face Commodus.]

MAXIMUS: My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius. Commander of the armies of the North, general of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife, and I will have my vengeance in this life or the next.

[Commodus is clearly in shock and without words. Quintus stands ready. Commodus stumbles in his actions, slightly turning to Quintus as though seeking help. Quintus orders “Arms” and the Praetorian pull their swords. Meanwhile, at Caesar’s box, Lucilla has jumped to her feet in shock and relief to see that Maximus is still alive.]

The more I watch these movies, the deeper they effect me. The scene where Commodus learns of gladiator’s true identity really had an impact on me, because how many of us truly know who we are?

The answer Maximus gives Commodus is awesome, it’s breath taking. It builds to a crescendo as the narrative punches Commodus in the face. This man knows who he is and what he’s made of!

Where does someone go to learn an answer like that? To learn their true name that can NEVER be taken from them.

We may not have experienced stuff like in Gladiator, but we all have walked through some tough stuff. I have been through some tough stuff and it was only by walking it out with God through my own trials that I discovered who I was. To know your true self, you have to know where you’ve come from; you have to walk through the pain and anguish of life; you have to take a journey facing your giants.

Once you step into this place on your journey, never again compromise who you are! [Tweet that]

I share my own journey in my book Heartstone. I’ts a journey of destiny, a story of a life turned upside-down for the best possible reason. Step into my story and discover what happens when a life has a head on collision with a broken world!

Have you taken this journey?

Could you have shown Maximus’s courage in that arena?

Do you really and truly know who you are?