At one of the hardest times in my life I saw the movie Gladiator, which released on my birthday May 5th. I relate in many ways. Though the movie doesn't directly insert God into it, God spoke into my heart through it. Here is a writing about it...

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Gladiator Life

By Tony Ellsworth

On May 5, 2000

His Gladiator, he did make me

Promised I’d dwell with him
To his house he’d take me

Thoughts not of earth, my hands run over wheat
My life, my soul, my heart for him it does beat

Off in the distance & someday soon
He seems so close, yet so far - like earth & moon

Through my mistakes & evil my family was lost
He took my sin & infirmities, his life it cost

From high to low, now I’ve become enslaved
Through his mercies, a highway to heaven he’s paved

Each day in the arena I face my fears
At night on my face I pray, shedding many tears

Locked in a cell, a place they call Rome
Desperate, lonely and tired, so far from home 

 

My plans for redemption have been cast down
A ring on my finger, My Father’s promise, a crown

My hopes have since faded, now so far gone
I’m a fool in a drama, playing a pawn

My enemy the ruler, for me always is hate
The future, he’s blinded to his final fate

This leads to the arena where we face each other
He stabs me in the back & calls me brother

My life is slipping from me; I see a portrait of above
God’s presence is near me, a comforting dove

I have lost all my strength, surely my end draws near
Then suddenly power from the Holy Spirit did appear 

I rose up to battle him one last time
An inheritance once his, has now become mine

With a hidden weapon he comes to slay
Little did he know, his last breath as Emperor would be on this day

I used the power God gave me, now my enemy lay dead
His body is lifeless the ground next to him red

 My purpose on earth now is fulfilled
This day is done; no more blood need be spilled

I’ve given all I have, to this life I will die
I’m leaving this place for a journey to the sky

I walk along the path as the hour is late
I’ll keep on walking till’ I walk through that Gate.

In anticipation, I pick up the pace
Suddenly I’m fulfilled, I see His face!