Inspiration Behind Against All Odds:
The lyrics of Against All Odds were spawn from Phil Collins first divorce. Serving as a theme song for the movie Against All Odds, writing this song enabled Phil to get all of his emotions, frustrations and pain out in the open. Meanwhile, the film features an aging football star hired by a mobster to find his missing girlfriend. Whether you’re talking about recovering from a messy divorce or searching a missing person, Against All Odds symbolizes triumph over adversity.
Week 4 Theme:
The final portion of love is being open to forgiveness by giving others a second chance. Whenever you enter a relationship, you never know how it is going to turn out. Unfortunately, human nature will cause individuals to disappoint, hurt and let their significant other down. The songs for this final week of February encourage their partner to give them another shot at love.
Biblical Application:
The Lord said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.” 2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels[a] of silver and about a homer and a lethek[b] of barley. 3 Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you,” Hoshea 3:1-3.
Exegesis of Against All Odds:
How can I just let you walk away,
Just let you leave without a trace?
When I stand here taking every breath with you, ooh ooh
You’re the only one who really knew me at all
Phil felt like he had to intervene, unwilling to let his wife walk away without a fight. Phil realized that his first wife is the only woman that he has ever been with that has truly known who he is.
How can you just walk away from me
When all I can do is watch you leave?
‘Cause we’ve shared the laughter and the pain
And even shared the tears
You’re the only one who really knew me at all
Phil sees how much he has poured into this marriage. They have shared too much together to abandon this relationship without trying to salvage it.
So take a look at me now
Well there’s just an empty space
And there’s nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Ooh, Take a look at me now
Well there’s just an empty space
And you coming back to me is against the odds
And that’s what I’ve got to face,
Living without his wife has left a hole in his heart. Despite the odds for reconciliation, Phil is still not giving up hope on his marriage.
I wish I could just make you turn around
Turn around and see me cry
There’s so much I need to say to you
So many reasons why
You’re the only one who really knew me at all
Phil wants to express to his wife how much he misses her. He has never been vulnerable like this with any other woman.
So take a look at me now
Well there’s just an empty space
And there’s nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
All that now remains from his first marriage are the memories.
Now Take a look at me now
‘Cause that’s just an empty space
But to wait for you is all I can do
And that’s what I’ve got to face
Phil is waiting for her to change her mind.
Take a good look at me now
‘Cause I’ll still be standing here
And you coming back to me is against all odds
It’s the chance I’ve got to take
Take a look at me now
Phil is willing to wait on restoration, holding out hope against all odds to get back together.
Final Thoughts:
I was listening to a couple share their 42-year journey together a few weeks ago. At one point they decided to separate for a few years. each marrying another person. Yet each still possessed feelings for one another. Once they started going to church with their children. When God changed their hearts, reconciliation was made possible. The next time you sense your chances for saving a marriage are against all odds, turn to God in prayer so that the Holy Spirit can manufacture a miracle called forgiveness.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 