Everyone at that tournament was fighting for a slot to nationals. And not everyone at that tournament met that goal. It hurt so many of us. Amidst the exhaustion, laughter, and endless hallways of the past week, sometimes I had to wonder what we were really there for.
The real champions this week, were the ones who lived beyond. I was so blessed to call them my brothers and sisters in Christ. Some were successful. Some were hurting. Some were disappointed. But each and every one of them was rooted in why they were at that tournament. They reminded me what it meant to be victorious.
Victory was the competitor of integrity, who took a stance and prayed with those who had made it to finals, when he found out they had taken his spot in the round. Victory was the warrior of the heart, who would pour herself out encouraging others, even when she knew they would be going to nationals in her place. Victory was the speaker of conviction, who moved past the ballots and made a lasting impact, even when placed last in the room.
Triumph was found in the hands that grasped mine as we wrestled in prayer. Love was manifested in the words that wrenched my heart and brought secret tears that they never saw. Hope was made known in the arms that held others, when pain and exhaustion were beyond words. Thankfulness was found in the feet that crossed the stage that night, but strength was found in the ones that did not.
This tournament, God gave an open door. And no matter how hard breaks, discouragement, and exhaustion tried to close that door, it remained open. I was so inspired by the ones who had eyes to see what the Spirit was doing. I was in awe of the men and women around me, who had ears to hear what the Spirit was saying. Regardless of what judges had to say about you, YOU were the champions.
You reminded me of how beautiful a heart committed to His purposes could truly be. Even when you felt like you yourself could barely stand, you picked me up and carried me, and everyone around you, with encouragement and prayer. You were strong, even in your weakest moments. You were a fighter, even when you felt defeated. We prayed for revival, in our midst. And this week, I saw it in you. Thank you for being His hands, His feet, and His heart. Thank you for letting Him fill you, to pour You out to the waiting world.
Whether your season has ended or not, you were a victor of the heart. You were triumphant, in Him. These are His words, to you.... the vessel of brotherly love:
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David.What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my Godand the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
"Courage, dear heart."
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Worship Song:
"Desert Song",
by Hillsong United
"Desert Song",
by Hillsong United
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