REAL VICTORY
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4, ESV
Theme: Real victory is not that we persevere through hard times, but that our hearts are transformed.
“AMERICAN UNDERDOG”
Kurt Warner’s “Cinderella story” is a common dream among recreational and school league football players: start as a regular athlete and become an NFL player, maybe even an MVP. It doesn’t happen often. But it did happen at least once! This is the true story of a regular player who was never drafted, didn’t seem to have any real potential, but was victorious in the end.
What makes Kurt Warner’s story inspirational isn’t only what he did in the world of football but because of who he was as a person. He didn’t use his success as an excuse for bad behavior. Despite the kind of success most only dream about, he remained grounded and committed to more than just athleticism and worldly success. In the same way, our successes and accomplishments are more about personal transformation and growth than experiences or work completed.
PUERTO RICO
Last week, our family served on a Cove Church team sent to Puerto Rico in partnership with Youth for Christ. We cleared brush, excavated a coral rock section to create a prayer garden, served kids at a local day camp, helped at their “Revive” student ministry, and weeded, mowed, planted, painted, and gardened at a bilingual school. The work was sweaty, sometimes grueling. This should have been my combination motto and prayer: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57, ESV). The challenging tasks accomplished were part of a bigger story of growth.
Each day the team spent time studying the Bible, praying, and debriefing. We built relationships with our teammates and with God. The most valuable thing we accomplished was strong relationships, changed perspectives, and changed hearts – our own. The team did persevere through hard tasks. Those hard tasks, while needed and appreciated, were not the ultimate purpose of our trip. Changed hearts absolutely were the victory – the kind that “overcomes the world” (1 John 5:7).
Make It Personal: What struggle do you continue to persevere through? How is it changing your perspective and your heart?
Pray: God, thank You for the many opportunities to serve, love, and overcome. Please help me to grow in faith and character through any challenges I face. Help me to see true victory as heart change, first in myself, and then those around me in Your timing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: James 1:25; 1 Corinthians 15:54; 1 John 5:3-5
Weekly Memory Verse: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11, ESV