Hvad vindere ligne? Er de høj eller lav? Sort eller hvid? Stærk eller svag? Jeg gætter det afhænger af, hvad vi mener med “vinder.”
Jeg blev suget ind i historien om en vinder i sidste måned som en læse en langvarig, men engagerende biografi Michael Jordan. Den detaljerede konto mindede mig hvorfor mange folks besættelse med ham grænser til heltedyrkelse. Mange ting kan siges om “hans Airness” men ingen kunne nogensinde hævder han er ikke en vinder. Har han ligne en vinder, før han fik alle disse mesterskabet ringe, selvom?
Når du læser bogen, det syntes klart af sin barndom, at han ville være en mester. Om det var hans fremragende spil som en lille liga kande eller som junior varsity basketballspiller; sin high school vækstspurt eller hans spil vindende skudt under hans første år med UNC.
På det tidspunkt fik jeg til kapitlerne om hans mesterskaber som Chicago Bulls, der var ingen overraskelser. Forfatteren fortalte sin historie på en måde, der gjorde det klart,: Jordan blev født til at være en vinder. Og det er det, vi kender ham for: vinde seks mesterskabet ringe, fem MVP'er, og 14 All Star optrædener (ikke at nævne hans ubestridte regeringstid i den atletiske sko spil).
Denne form for uantastet regeringstid er, hvad der normalt kommer til at tænke først, når vi tænker “vinder.” Men jeg ønsker, at vi give plads til en anden form for vinderen. Den slags vinder, som ikke har alle forudsætninger for en mester. Den slags vinder, hvis svagheder er mere bemærkelsesværdigt end hans stærke sider. Den slags vinder, som ligner mere en taber undertiden.
erobret, men erobre
Jeg vil være ærlig med dig. De sidste to år har været fantastisk på mange måder, men de har også været temmelig hårdt. Jeg har haft en stærk ægteskab og begyndelsen af to små liv. Jeg har opleve glæden ved pastoral minsitry i en sund kirke. Men jeg har også været plaget af svaghed. Det er svært for udenforstående at sige nogle gange, fordi jeg synes at gøre så mange gode ting. Men hvis bare du kunne se lidt tættere.
Jeg har kronisk træthedssyndrom. Jeg ved, Jeg havde aldrig hørt om det før enten. Måske er det derfor, når det ramte mig det følte sig mere som en Sucker Punch end en organiseret kamp. I starten er det virkelig handicappet mig-jeg kun var vågen i seks timer om dagen, og udmattet til den anden atten. I løbet af det næste år det fik bedre, men det stadig forlod mig en skal af hvad jeg plejede at være. Jeg har boet de sidste syv år med en uendelige træthed. Jeg kan ærligt ikke huske sidste gang jeg følte rested- ligesom mit batteri døde, men aldrig genoplades.
Energi er som det brændstof, der magter alle områder af vores liv. Vi har brug for det til enhver opgave, hver samtale, hver tanke. Og når at brændstof er lav, alt lider. Af en eller anden grund, min krop vil ikke lade mig tanke op. I stedet dvæler lige over mit akvarium “E,” og jeg forsøger at gøre det gennem. Det har efterladt mig haltende gennem hvert område af mit liv.
Jeg fortæller dig alt dette, ikke for din sympati, men at udfordre, hvordan du tror. Nogle kan se på de ubesvarede frister, the discouraging days, the occasional tension in my marriage, og tænke, “Mand, denne fyr er ved at miste lige nu.” Det føles sikker som at miste, når jeg er nødt til at ændre mit liv planer endnu en gang eller fortælle min søn, “Daddys for træt til at spille lige nu.” Jeg ville lyve, hvis jeg sagde, at det ikke var nedslående og forsøger. Endnu, Jeg hævder stadig min søde sejr.
Ingen, Jeg er ikke den overmenneskelige stærke form for vinderen; Jeg er faktisk temmelig svag. Jeg er en anden slags vinderen. Og jeg formoder mange af jer er for.
A Different Kind of Winner
Jeg har sejr, men ikke fordi min styrke har sikret det. Min sejr sker på trods af mine svagheder, selv mine synder. Jeg er ikke sejrherren der besejrede fjender og sikret sejren; Jeg virkelig lige modtaget det. Jeg har sejr i Jesus.
Paulus udtrykker det på denne måde i Romerbrevet:
Som der er skrevet, "For din skyld, vi bliver dræbt hele dagen lang; Vi betragtes som får for at blive slagtet. "Nej, i alle disse ting er vi mere end erobrere gennem ham, som elskede os” (Romerne 8:36-37).
Paulus citerer Salme 44, hvor salmisten skriger for Guds hjælp midt i retssagen. Og Paulus bruger dette vers at gøre hans punkt, at intet kan fortryde, hvad Gud har gjort for os i Kristus.
En af de mest slående ting er, at efter at nævne forfærdelige ting: blive dræbt, bliver slagtet, Paulus siger selv i de ting, vi er erobrere. Selv når vi mister, vi vinder. Selv når vi bliver erobret af denne faldne verden, vi forbliver erobrere gennem Jesus. De små daglige slag ikke bestemme vores skæbne, fordi krigen allerede er vundet. Ikke at bringe dig utrolig håb? Hvis vi er i Kristus, Vi kan virkelig ikke tabe.
Kan være, som mig, du er i en sæson af store vanskeligheder. Jeg vil gerne opfordre dig med et par måder, jeg synes om denne sandhed.
1. Må ikke bare se på dig
Når jeg tilbringe min dag med fokus på min svaghed og brokker i mit hjerte, Jeg kun fodre min modløshed og brændstof min falsk følelse af håbløshed. Når jeg stirrer på mig, jeg tror, jeg har mistet, men når jeg stirre på Jesus jeg mindet om, at jeg vinder. Da han var besejre sine fjender, han besejre dem på vores vegne.
2. Må ikke bare se på nu
Hvis jeg kun fokusere på i dag eller i de sidste par år, Jeg er fristet til at synes, det er, hvordan det vil altid være. Men Jesus købte utrolige ting for mig på korset, som jeg ikke har expereienced endnu. Jeg kender Gud ufuldkomment nu, men jeg kommer til at kende ham perfekt senere. Han vil endda give mig en helt ny krop og tørre væk alle mine tårer.
Vi kan også blive fristet til at fokusere på dem, der synes at være at vinde nu. De, der ikke har de samme prøvelser og modgang, der altid synes at plage os. Men holdet, der er at vinde i tredje kvartal er ikke altid det team, der vinder i sidste ende. Mange mennesker synes at vinde de daglige kampe, men de har ikke tillid til i den, der har vundet krigen. Må ikke bare se på nu.
Søde Victory
Michael Jordan er fortsat en af de største og mest populære vindere, vi nogensinde har set. Men der er større gevinster at hente. Og ingen af os har, hvad det kræver at vinde krigen os; kun Kristus kan gøre det. Han har besejret alle vores fjender for os: uden, Satan, og selve døden. Alt det tager at slutte sig til holdet og drage nytte af hans gevinster vender fra synd og tillidsfuldt på Frelseren. Nogen som helst, selv de svageste blandt os kan være vindere.
Dette er sandheden, der var i mit hjerte, når jeg skrev disse ord i “Søde Victory”:
Sejrherren er ikke den, der er at vinde syvende inning
Trofæer går ikke til dem, der fik en god begyndelse
Når jeg siger jeg vinder jeg mener ikke denne dag jeg er i
Jeg mener den dag, da den grå himmel fade ud, så jeg vinde fordi jeg regere med ham
Sørg for at afhente en kopi af “Rise” når det kommer ud 10.27.14!
Liam
oktober 23, 2014 / på 12:44 pm
Trip I’ve been playing sweet victory non-stop the past couple days, God’s working in your life and is going to be working through your album. Beder for dig
Emerson Tillman II
oktober 23, 2014 / på 1:08 pm
Gud velsigne dig bro.
Victoria Jones
oktober 23, 2014 / på 1:17 pm
This is such an inspiring word. Your song articulates the intricate relationship between glory moments, and uncontrollable pitfalls. tak. I now know that everything, good and bad, comes down from the Father of Lights.
Dena
oktober 23, 2014 / på 1:48 pm
Great read! I’m so encouraged by this! I’m obsessed with the song!
SteveL
oktober 23, 2014 / på 3:43 pm
Rejse, this song has been a huge blessing into my life already! My dad and sister have some health issues that they have been dealing with for several years and your description for why and how you wrote this song is beautiful and comforting. Thank you for being true to your faith and to the gospel.
Nathan
oktober 23, 2014 / på 5:06 pm
I am in awe that your mentality is still strong during the weakness. A true role model.
Lydia
oktober 23, 2014 / på 10:41 pm
This was so encouraging to me. My energy has been at the same level as yours for the past two years… I was finally diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease a couple months ago and my fatigue is finally getting lighter! I hope you can eventually find something that helps you! You’re doing so so so much more than people realize. Props to you! You’re an inspiration to me :)
Cheyenne
oktober 23, 2014 / på 11:52 pm
My brother has chronic fatigue and I wanted to know if I could hook you both up so that he can talk with you?
Denise
oktober 24, 2014 / på 1:41 er
God bless you Mr. Barefield. I’ve been utterly blessed watching your sermons, listening to your music, reading your articles and posts. I pray supernaturally healing in the mighty name of Jesus over your body. I pray for continued strength and endurance to touch you so you can do the Lords work without growing tired but rather to be renewed each and every day. I pray blessings over you, Jennifer and your two little ones. I thank you Lord for Williams obedience to Your calling in his life as a pastor, husband, father and artist. Let your light continue to shine thru his life. Thank you Father, in Jesus’s name, Amen.
duran Lowery
oktober 24, 2014 / på 12:32 pm
I’m a true believer. In today’s society it’s very easy to get side tracked worried about how other people live their lives. Can’t wait for RISE to come out. Trip u really do inspire me to be the best man an father to wife an kids.
Patrick
oktober 24, 2014 / på 12:49 pm
Rejse, thanks for sharing your heart man. The fact you are suffering and are still able to produce such quality work is inspiring. God has really used your music to speak to my life. And I’m so grateful there are guys like you in the music (specifically hip-hop) industry who aren’t afraid of absolute truth. I hope Rise isn’t your last album, but if it is, I’m so thankful for all that you’ve taught me in your past 4 albums.
Vince
oktober 24, 2014 / på 1:00 pm
I’m always encouraged by your posts bro and this might be the best one yet! I’m praying for your strength and can’t wait to cop the album!
Charlana
oktober 24, 2014 / på 1:16 pm
Hej Trip,
I truly enjoy your song “Søde Victory”, it stays on repeat & I look forward to hearing the rest of the CD. Gud velsigne dig & your family & continued success to you!
Chester
oktober 24, 2014 / på 1:26 pm
I recently saw your performance while you were here in Denver October 9th. I had no idea about your health maladies until then. I was deeply touched when you performed your song “Sweet Victory.” I too have been battling various physical ailments nearing a time of four years. Så, your song resonanted with me, bringing me to the brink of tears. Having just read your piece on your illness, I have found that you have been suffering from the same thing I have been for some time: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It was through my physical struggles that compelled me to reliquish my pride and life of indulgence and brought me back to a renewed commitment to Christ; ultimately, I am grateful that this has happened to me. I have only met one other person who has an accurate idea of the challenges that this syndrome brings. I have been showered with the outpouring of God’s grace, prayers from others, and the unyielding commitment of my wife which helps me continue with God’s purposes as I continue my studies to go into ministry as a philosopher. We serve a God who not only intimately understands the suffering of the world, but conquered through it. Thank you for your service of God’s kingdom and disclosing details of your life.
christian
oktober 24, 2014 / på 1:51 pm
Rejse! You have been an encouragement through your music and sermons bro! Love how God is using you! Your bangers get me goin bro ! I’ll be praying for you too! Oh and -good look on that song too!
Mitch
oktober 24, 2014 / på 2:31 pm
Brother Trip,
God bless you for your unwavering faith and trust that He will heal you and make you whole in true Shweet Victory!!! Grace be to God…
Mackender
oktober 24, 2014 / på 2:43 pm
I was tremendously blessed by this article. My heart rejoices as I read and ponder my future inheritance in Christ. Thank you trip. Can’t wait to get the album. I’ve always been blessed by you man.
Erica D. Clanton
oktober 24, 2014 / på 3:43 pm
This was really what i needed to read and Sweet Victory really touches my heart. Thanks Trip for sharing what God gave u so we can see His vision for our lives!! Praying for u!
isaiah
oktober 24, 2014 / på 4:05 pm
Love your music man. It and other Christian hip hop music has and is and will continue to help God change my life. Our struggle is not forever as you well know tripp. Thanks for the reminder.
GabeTaviano
oktober 24, 2014 / på 5:50 pm
Thanks for being transparent, Rejse. Our fam’s moving to Cambodia on January 3rd. I have a few private questions for you, hoping to ask before we leave. Could you maybe shoot me an email (to the email I used to comment here)? Looking forward to my pre-order of RISE. Really great work!!
ChristyCapp
oktober 24, 2014 / på 11:05 pm
I am so looking’ forward the album!! Thats a great song to start it off with. True talent and REAL lyrics that change life.. ain’t nothin’ better than that! CFS sucks and is devastating. I got it at 18 in college when it first came out. But you can overcome it and you will..with proper diet and excercise. So there’s hope! Prayer first, water every hour. I made water my best friend to detox, cut white flour, pasta and fast food. Most of us walkin’ around dehydrated and replacing it with more food. It’s through our trials that he works in us the most. In that time of being sick (still) was when God was most able do His work… Best wishes to you and your album and your fam and your church & much continued success!
Jesus
oktober 25, 2014 / på 6:00 er
Awesome insight, into what the world would have us see as “losing” in this life. When in all reality we are all born losers, including those, that the world considers “winners”..! If, they don’t come to the “knowledge” eller “knowing” of the TRUTH, which is “JESUS”, they remain losers..! Even if, to the world, they appear to be winners..! Thanks for sharing your “weakness”, when in REALITY, you have been made STRONGE..!! Praise be to The Lord, that He would make known to us through our weakness that we are TRULY STONGE because of Knowing Him…!! Keep pressing forward my friend and brother even if The Lord grants you only His grace in the mist of your struggles..!! Praying for You..!
Ashley
oktober 25, 2014 / på 9:16 er
I had no idea you were facing this battle. I read your book, “the good life” a while back but don’t remember seeing that. I was so blessed by your article today, you’re in my prayers brother. My cousin suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome and it’s very difficult for her to enjoy things she used to. Tak for at dele, my heart goes out to you and your wife today. Fight the good fight. You’re a True Champion. Jesus’s love conquers all. P.s. dope song too!
Rachel
oktober 25, 2014 / på 10:36 er
I am so thankful for Sweet Victory. I listened on YouTube and it gave me my spark back. I have been struggling with discouragement. I think I lost my hope here for a few weeks. Can’t think of how else to put it. Hopelessness made me feel cut off from God and was the worst part of all. I was crying out to him, asking him to help me out of this overwhelming despondency. Your Sweet Victory lyrics spoke straight to that broken part of me and retriggered my hope. This article has also encouraged me. God is so good. I was surrounded by people who love me at church but had no idea how to ask them for help, or even how to explain what I was going thru. God decided to use you, all the way from Texas. tak!
Julia gnides
oktober 25, 2014 / på 3:01 pm
Rejse (and Jess)–
Thanks so much for this encouraging song. I cannot wait to get your new album. Vi (my Parents) just adopted a little boy from Haiti. He has cerebral palsy. Although it has been a hard road with all his disabilities, I know that Jesus gives us victory over all things. I saw you in concert in Salt Lake City, UT a couple weeks ago, and you gave me such hope. tak!
And congratulations to you and the Mrs. on the new little one. Whether he (or her) is born or not. :) Love you guys!
Dina
oktober 26, 2014 / på 8:15 er
Rejse, I am about as far from your expected crowd base as one can get…Caucasian Canadian mama of five who drives a mini van! But blaring from my speakers is always some rap with a steady rotation of Trip Lee! I love the song Sweet Victory and this reality that was birthed in a new way from your health struggle resonated with me. For the last 8 years I’ve struggled with a similar weakness after the premature birth of my daughter. It is a humbling road to walk and one I still learning to trust God in. Thank you for sharing your hope and providing an example of an unashamed man of God for young men to respect and emulate. Blessings to you, bro!
Di
oktober 30, 2014 / på 9:59 er
Downloaded the album yesterday and I love it! My fav is “Alle Rise Up”; I have it on replay… lol… thanks for the wonderful album Trip. Hope to watch you in concert one day.
Gabky
november 7, 2014 / på 8:12 pm
Wow. This is my first time coming across this site and I’m loving all the posts I’ve read so far. I’ve been so blessed and encouraged.This is just what I needed at this moment to know that despite my weaknesses he still reigns in my life and I can look to him and always be uplifted.
I had no idea you were going through this, you’re in my prayers. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you so much.
Just listened to Sweet Victory and I’ve been so blessed by your song! And I can’t wait to listen to the whole album. I’m sure that’s all I’ll be listening to these coming weeks. Continue the good work!
Latasha
november 8, 2014 / på 7:54 pm
This blog post was such a blessing to me. Tit, I don’t feel understood by family, venner, or some church family on this walk, but this post help me put things in perspective and stop complaining about life. I realized that there is a blessing within our weaknesses. God truly shows his power/love for us, by helping us overcome our struggles, when we realize that He is the only way we can keep going. Thanks for the post and your song Sweet Victory is amazing!
Nåde og Fred,
Tasha F.
TTunique
november 17, 2014 / på 9:42 er
My daughter dedicated this song to me. I could not stop listening and crying. I Have been battling immune system issues for 15 år. The last 3 years were near hell. But the Lord was dealing hard with my heart during that time. I finally got it and surrendered to him. I am now getting answers left and right and coming out slowly. I’m not out all the way, but I’m not as exhausted as I was. It’s amazing!!! This song……this song! Tears……
Tim
december 4, 2014 / på 1:56 er
Rejse,
I always feel a sense of joy when I hear a new song from you or even see a posted sermon or read your blog. You are inspiring! I don’t directly know what CFS is like but I have seen it. A family friends mother from my church has it. There are times when we see her then there are long stretches when we don’t. But whenever I do see her she is always joyful. When I read this I thought of her because I tell her every time how much I am inspired by her that in the midst of it all she praises Jesus. She has been victorious because she refuses to think down on the situation. You two are most definitely winners! I’m glad that you are able to share your heart with us. It means so much to me.
Burton
december 4, 2014 / på 8:54 pm
Rejse,
You don’t know how much this means to me. When it seems like the whole world is against you, you know that you’ll win in the end with flying colors! And now knowing what you’ve been going through the past seven years, you can know that you are in my prayers Bro. Thanks for opening up your heart to us.
Femi
marts 16, 2015 / på 5:58 pm
Rejse, you are a huge inspiration. RISE is a great album and i love it! As concerning your health, i believe its just a temporary flame of afflicton preparing you for the glory to be revealed. God is set to use you more brother. so don’t grow weary. keep believing and praying. I love you brother.
Nate
april 26, 2015 / på 9:13 pm
Rejse,
Chronic Fatigue has plagued my life from when I was 13 eller 14 years old all the way up until only a matter of weeks ago (jeg er 28 nu). Years of prayer and research finally led my family and I to the answer; Diet was the root cause. Removing all grains, dairy, nightshades, preservatives and processed foods from my life has led to a complete recovery. I have never felt better.
I don’t know if there could be a similar dietary solution for your CFS, but I wanted to let you know anyway.
Fortsæt det gode arbejde. I’ll be praying for you.
ThomLomas
december 7, 2015 / på 4:29 pm
Thank you for sharing these words. I wish I would’ve read this last year but I wasn’t meant to read it until now. Now that I had a little better understanding on why these things happened. Tak igen, Gud bevare.
-Thom L.
Brandon Martinez
april 23, 2016 / på 12:49 pm
I love you trip lee you are a big inspiring role model to my walk in faith with god. Ive learned to trust him ive learned that the scriptures when applied to my life become blessings in so many ways. You truly inspire me and I hope that one day god will give me the opportunity to meet you and lecrae you both have helped me see life instead of death. Everyday I listen to gospel hip hop and start my morning with thanking god for waking me up then I make coffee and put my bluebuds in my ears and turn on gospel hip hop and listen study even loom up words I dont know in the dictionary at words I dont quite understand so I lnow the deeper meaning because im a deep thinker. One pray and hearts desire of mine is to talk to you in some way one day even if its just a few messages on facebook or a phone call but would be awesome to sit down with you in person and discuss allot of christian beliefs and answer each others questions and concerns. Jeg er 26 years old I have a rough background and past and christ has changed me from day to day all for his glory and a greater good so I can reach out and inspire others with my testimony that shows in my actions not just in words . Im a believer. Romerne 1:16 I am unashamed of the gospel. I talk about god everday with people even my friends look up to me and have changed because of how god changed me. I really hope you see this message from me and read it through. Your story is strong and christ is in your heart always. Please if you have a moment one day text me. Call me. Write me on facebook. Email me id love to just have one conversation with you. Btw your story brought tears to my eyes. Gud velsigne dig,your wife,and children in all your days and all you do.