It’s parade time in Perry, GA

Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Planning to attend the Georgia National Fair parade? It’s held on Saturday, October 9 at 10 a.m. in Perry. If you’ve never been . . . dig out your folding chair and check it out!

One of the more memorable times for a parade, in our nation, was when our troops returned home from World War II. The Apostle Paul probably saw some triumphal processions like that in his day. The Romans were well known for having inspiring parades when they were victorious in war.

The General of the Army would normally be at the head of the parade on a white horse. People would throw flowers into the path of the soldiers.

The Apostle Paul said, “Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ.”

Hmm. Always? Yes, Paul speaks as if he is always—each and every day—walking in a victory parade!

The amazing thing is, quite a few sixth graders have probably received more medals and trophies and awards from school and sports than Paul ever did. We really don’t know of Paul ever receiving any plaques or awards for his earthly accomplishments.

The remarkable thing is, Paul lived a pretty rugged life. Quite often, he endured deprivation and suffered severe and brutal persecution due to his faith in Christ. If there was ever a person who had a right to think that God had possibly turned his back on him, Paul might be in the running.

Yet, through trust in the Savior, Paul speaks of his life as walking in a victory parade, right behind Jesus who is in the lead. Paul was saying something pretty amazing, that God was leading him in a triumphal procession every day . . . including the days when he is locked up and in prison. That included the times when he’s strapped to the wooden stake in the center of town and whipped again.

And why could Paul think in terms like that? Paul writes of what he knows for certain: “Jesus gave Himself for our sins to deliver us from this present evil age” (Galatians 1:4).

Paul could look to the future and say, “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (Phil. 3:20).

Can’t make it to watch the Georgia National Fair parade? Paul was not simply excited about being able to watch a parade. For Paul, faith in Christ is about knowing you are in a victory parade – always.

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