Winner Either Way

I have a good friend and recently we were talking and he was so excited. He told me he just had a great weekend and had gotten to see his parents perform. They are part of a gospel/bluegrass group in North Georgia. Part of the performance included a song that just touched him. It was called “Winner Either Way”. He told me the lyrics just touched him and encouraged him that no matter what as believers we have such hope! I think I agree with him. He gave me a copy of the lyrics;

A LOVED ONE KNEW HE'D REACHED THE END OF LIFE'S JOURNEY, BUT HE'D BEEN HOLDING TO GOD'S HAND A LONG, LONG TIME AND AS I KNELT BESIDE HIS BED, MY HEART WAS THRILLED AT WHAT HE SAID," IF I GO, OR IF I STAY, THE VICTORY IS MINE."

NONE OF US REALLY KNOWS ABOUT TOMORROW, WE MUST PREPARE TO GO TO HEAVEN ANYDAY BUT WHILE WE'RE HERE LET'S TRUST THE LORD, HE'LL LEAD US SAFE TO OUR REWARD AND BY HIS GRACE, WE'LL BE A WINNER EITHER WAY

I'M A WINNER EITHER WAY, IF I GO OR IF I STAY FOR I'LL STILL HAVE MY JESUS EACH PASSING DAY I'LL HAVE MY HEALING HERE BELOW, OR LIFE FOREVER IF I GO, OH PRAISE THE LORD, I'M A WINNER EITHER WAY.

You know there is great encouragement there and it brings to mind Paul’s trials and there is a passage in Philippians 1 that I often dwell on;

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[d] 20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

Can you see the hope of believers? Paul in Jail, facing trial and possible execution sees the hope and it is “better by far”. Life is tough and there will be many bumps in the road, but if we trust in Christ we will be “winners either way”.

Abba Father, thank you so much for your Son; our Lord and Savior, your word and your great plan of remdemption, so that we might have true hope and rejoice no matter our circumstance.

Grace and Peace!