One of the worlds greatest brands is based upon the Greek goddess of victory. Romans called her Victoria, Americans named a forward base in Iraq after the idea, and the achievement of victory has been proclaimed by countless icons throughout history. But what is it, exactly? When is victory actually achieved?Victory was declared by the Treaty of Ghent between the United States and Great Britain on Christmas Eve, 1814...but for weeks battles continued to rage across the NA continent because communication didn't reach the front lines. The entire Battle of New Orleans was fought post-victory. How odd to find out you fought, possibly picked up battle wounds and "won" a battle in a war that was already over!
Recently departed President George W. Bush was peppered with ridicule for declaring "victory" aboard a US aircraft carrier early into the Operation Iraqi Freedom campaign, years before waves of combat casualties subsided. The "head of the snake" had been removed, but the conflict was still in full swing. Was it victory?
D-Day, V-Day, so many claims of victory. Yet, aftershocks of conflict remain...
Paul reassures the young Jesus freaks of Corinth that "Death has lost its victory...God has given us victory over sin and death through Jesus." What does that mean? John the Revelator recorded at his Patmos Retreat Center an apocalyptic Jesus saying that "all who are victorious will sit with me..."
The swoosh people tell us to "just do it," but just do what exactly? Live victoriously? Attempt victory? Live as if the victory is ours?
Strange to know the outcome and still be forced to fight the war...
ReplyDeleteIn the original writings of Paul was the word "Victory" used or was this a result of years and years of translation that we find ourselves asking what this phrase means?
ReplyDeleteMaybe it is my everyday job that has conditioned me to simply all that i do but when thinking about the word "Victory" I do not find myself thinking of any one particular event but rather anything that has resulted in some sort of positive success in life. A success as simple as not forgetting to brush my teeth in the morning all the way to the success you feel when your child begins to crawl and subsequently begins to walk; not to mention the success felt when your child starts walking/running and barely misses the corner of that table five times a day. The success is not in that your child did not hit the table but rather your heart decided to keep beating as you gasped for air in fear of your child hitting said table. I haven't lost you yet; have I?
Yes. Typically Victory is attributed to one winner and one loser but ins't it so much more than just black or white? maybe not?
^^^ Interesting...
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