24th Day: We Shall Overcome...someday

As an African-American, the word "overcome" (in my mind) is reserved for an old negro-spiritual: "We Shall Overcome."

We shall overcome We shall overcome

We shall overcome some day

Oh, deep in my heart

I do believe

We shall overcome some day

The song is very simple, but pretty powerful. To me, what makes it powerful are two words: 

Some. Day.

*Note: someday (without a space) is an acceptable word. I will use it throughout. I thought that was incorrect, like the use of "alot" but it's not. Someday is real!

It takes a terrible situation and puts an end date on it. It's not an exact end date. But it's a date. The song lyrics go on to say "we'll walk hand in hand," "we shall all be free," "we are not afraid," and "we are not alone." Why do they say things like that? Because families were separated, in bondage, very afraid, and often isolated emotionally. I imagine that's what defeat feels like. But then they say: someday, and I know they aren't defeated.

Probably, since I think of that old sad (but yet hopeful and triumphant) song when I hear that word, for me that word is pregnant with meaning. It's a heavy word. It's a hard word to use. Because overcoming isn't easy.

To defeat the forces that are against you. To prevail against the status quo...sometimes it requires more of you than you have to give. And yet, people press on. We keep giving. Keep trying. Keep pushing, not knowing exactly how our empty storage of perseverance keeps being replenished. But I think deep down, past the foundation that we can see or touch is something very basic: love, faith, and...someday. 

I'm still in 1 John, and it's still a lot of the same stuff, but there was something slightly different in this passage that made me take notice:

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 

1 John 5:1-6

The idea of overcoming the world...it's not new to me, but it's not exactly old hat either. To overcome the world ( human culture as influenced by Satan, the world system) means two things: 

1.  I have dealt with my personal involvement in that world system. It's lusts, desires; it's "me, me, me" way of living that put me at odds with both God and the rest of mankind.
   
2.  I have defeated and prevailed against the system itself.  I am no longer a slave to sin. I have the power not to live that way. That pressure might press me, but it won't crush me. And I've won my court case. I'm no longer due the judgement that my criminal involvement in the world required. 

How did this happen? And why am I not dancing in the streets 24/7?





Well, it seems shocking, but our faith is the game-changer. It has overcome the world. Even after reading Hebrews 11, sometimes I'm shocked by how powerful faith can be. How powerfully it is presented in scriptures. I thought for sure the scripture would say: 



"...and this is the victory that has overcome the world--the blood of Jesus" 

Or, 

 "...and this is the victory that has overcome the world--the thunderous voice of God speaking on our behalf"

Or anything really that had nothing to do with me. But this does involve me. 

But, it's a continuous battle. And it's continuous. The believer in the scripture overcomes. We overcome over and over again. Rejoice! It's a daily battle with faith and love. Loving the God who first loved us, and then loving all the people that He loved (as an extension of His love on the earth). But one day there won't be any battles left to fight. There will be nothing to overcome. Because we will have overcome the world, both figuratively and literally. And then the rejoicing will be insane. 

Someday.