We Made It

The phrase “We Made It,” as I use it in this setting, is a statement of achievement in the face of overwhelming odds.

- Reverend Dr. Rocky Brown, 3rd

It is a proclamation of accomplishment for someone or a group that has faced adversity or had the deck stacked against them.

It is a way of saying that “despite the length of the journey, despite the roughness of the road and despite the many stumbling blocks which have been thrown in our way, we have overcome and we have reached our goal. Now, it must be noted that the statement “We Made It,” as I am using it in this context, does not refer to an ultimate goal nor does it refer to a permanent victory.

For as long as we are citizens of this world, as long as we are pilgrims passing through this barren land, and as long as we are housed in these mortal bodies, every achievement is temporary and every victory is short-lived. The celebration only lasts for a short while, and in many instances, it is only the prelude to another struggle. Yet, in the words of the songwriter, we are encouraged by the fact that “Each victory will help us, some way or other to win.” So, even though the statement “We Made It” has no permanence for us, it does, however, contain an element of encouragement, which tells us that the same grace that has brought us thus far on our journey can be trusted to lead us into the future.

Now, it must also be noted that there is a vast difference between saying “We Made It” and saying “We’ve Got It Made.” You see, We’ve Got It Made is a statement of self-sufficiency and arrogance, but “We Made It” is an expression of humble jubilation.

“We’ve Got It Made” is a statement of overconfidence and cockiness, while “We Made It” is an expression of joy.

When folk say “We’ve Got It Made,” in reality, they’re saying, “We’re not going any further.”

When folks say, “We’ve Got It Made,” it means that they are already on the top, and of course, as we all know, when you’re on top, there is only one way to go, and that is down.