This past Tuesday, Trip Lee and Reach Records released a music video for "Sweet Victory" from Trip Lee's "Rise" album. Keep in mind the imagery used throughout the video. The video opens on an old, beat up Cadillac Eldorado. To the eye, there is nothing redeeming about its appearance. This Eldo isn't on 24's. It doesn't have the white-wall tires old Eldorados used to have. The windows are busted. The oil is leaking. The tires are a little flat. The hood ornament is stuck on with some duct tape.
But you know what? Turn that key it still runs. That exhaust pipe might be dragging a bit, but it's still rolling. But then we get a few things thrown at us. Now the car's struggling a bit. It's tougher to press on. It takes a bit more gas to move. Things slow to a limp; a crawl. But it doesn't stop moving.
This imagery is emblematic to a Christian's life in Christ. Right after the video was posted, Trip shared a few snippets of scripture from the book of 2 Corinthians, chapter 4, specifically verses 16-18.
"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self his being renewed day by day..." #SweetVictory
— Trip Lee (@TripLee) July 28, 2015
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison..." #SweetVictory
— Trip Lee (@TripLee) July 28, 2015
Paul's second letter to the Corinthians was an encouragement to them. It's filled with reminders that "we do not lose heart". We don't lose heart over the failures, setbacks and disappointments that we experience as Christians. But, we keep moving toward Christ. When our outer nature is wasting away, we know that this is speaking about our physical bodies (like the car), but more importantly our old fallen nature. Paul will remind the Corinthians, and us, about this again in chapter 5.
It's hard to remember, and many times believe, that the afflictions that Paul mentions are actually preparing a great reward for those in Christ. The glory that awaits those in Christ can be looked to as a Sweet Victory.
"When I say I win I don’t mean this day I’m in
I mean that day when the grey skies fade out then
I’m winning ‘cause I reign with him"
You can find the lyrics for Trip's "Sweet Victory" on his website, Built To Brag.
