Celebrating all victories

Standing at a table in the lobby, I looked around at the swarm of women. A mix of ages, races, personalities and perspectives filled my view. It was one of the largest women’s conferences I had ever attended, and I savored the overwhelming beauty of recognizing every one of these faces had a story, a purpose, and a desire to know the Lord better.

I wondered what it would be like to teach at an event like this, wondered how one tailors a message to reach such a wide audience. What an honor it must be for these women to be welcomed on stage, and what a privilege to influence so many lives for the glory of God.

But as I stood there, looking, thinking, reflecting, I noticed many women by themselves. I sensed such a deep conviction from the Spirit that my role as attender, where I have the opportunity to engage in conversation with these women, is just as important as the role of the speakers, leaders and hosts. 

This side of Heaven, we all live on a continual spiritual journey. While God never changes, our thoughts, perceptions and beliefs grow and deepen over time. We all need encouragement, we all need support, and we need it in all different ways. Life is relational, but so is our God. As we grow, learn and share, may we never cease to celebrate all the victories, big and small, along the way. 

Considering our own lives, we recognize the relational nature of community. We cherish large gatherings at concerts, school events or sports competitions. We’re thankful to be around so many others celebrating and enjoying the same experience. But we’re also familiar with the intimacy of coffee with a trusted friend. We know how valuable it is to pour our heart out, withholding none of the terrible details, and receive comfort without judgement. It all matters, because we all matter – to each other, and to God.

Right from the beginning, God created a world he would exist in. God walked with his people in the original garden, on top of his grass, under his trees. Jesus became a person, born of a woman, through a womb. He lived in community, teaching, touching, and dining with those around him. And after he ascended to Heaven, the Spirit came to live within his people, to make his home in us. Our God created a world he wanted to be present within. 

All of this is on purpose. So we can rejoice with all of Heaven when anyone, for any reason, is brought closer to the embrace of their Maker. We don’t have to worry about quantifying any of it “big” or “small”, because God doesn’t view a discrepancy. 

Maybe you get to be the first Christian someone meets. Maybe you get to be the first Christian someone actually calls friend.

Maybe you get to pray with someone to receive Christ. Maybe you get to spend years praying for someone to receive Christ.

Maybe you get to bring a friend to church. Maybe you get to show compassion around a campfire.

Maybe you get to share a Bible study. Maybe you get to share a chaotic play date with no spiritual conversation and no complete sentences, but a strained mama finally doesn’t feel alone anymore.

God is in every piece. It’s all important and all weaves together.

Collectively and progressively, the events of our lives build the story God has designed and continually invites us into. For he doesn’t just command that we love him with all our heart, all our soul, all our strength. And he doesn’t just command that we love our neighbor as ourselves. But he opens doors of opportunities, making it possible to grow in grace and knowledge, making it possible to know Him and be known. 

There were two women, in particular, I got to connect with during that large conference event. And I’m confident they blessed me far more than I could have blessed them. I think God likes to wink at us through the irony of situations like these. He knows this life isn’t about the things we tend to gravitate towards, and the Kingdom of God doesn’t esteem values we naturally hold here. We just need the constant reminders. May we keep our eyes on the Author and Perfecter of our faith, and celebrate with Him all the big and little moments along the way.   

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Related: The Lord is my Shepherd – Psalm 23, Part 1
Much to Celebrate