The Grace of Small Victories: Finding Equity in the Journey

A tender moment between a mother sheep and her lamb captured in a serene field.

---

It’s easy to look at the "grand goal" in life—whether it’s total healing, a major life achievement, or simply finding our ultimate purpose—and feel completely overwhelmed. We are taught to chase big achievements, but when you are navigating the realities of chronic pain or recovering from a deep mental health struggle, those monumental goals can feel crushing.

I’ve spent the last few months wrestling with this challenge. The path to finishing my postgraduate studies and launching a new career has felt secondary to the daily battle with my physical health. But in this quiet struggle, I've realized something crucial: The truest meaning of faith isn't found in the moment we cross the grand finish line; it’s found in those small, unlooked-for moments when Jesus breaks into your day. These are the tiny successes and glimpses of good that remind you God is truly present in the monotony and the pain.

It’s in the ten minutes of stillness, the moment of clarity, or the strength to simply ask for help. These small acts—these daily victories—are the fuel for the long run.

The Contemplative Power of Humility and Advocacy

We often equate strength with self-sufficiency, but my journey has taught me the opposite. I wouldn't be on a positive path forward right now if I hadn't exercised the humility to say, "I need help."

Humility is not weakness; it is the ultimate act of self-advocacy. When we come before our community, our professors, or God, and honestly admit our limitations, we are acting to secure what we truly need: equity. This isn't just about what the community provides; it’s a recognition that God is uniquely and profoundly interested in you and your individual intersectionality. God isn't solely focused on the collective or the institutional church; God is right here, ready to listen to the complexity of your burdens and be present with you.

We must seek equity before we can even consider equality, because equality suggests a level playing field that simply does not exist in our struggles. The spiritual truth is that the Divine’s provision is radically personalized, just as it is in the popular parable of the lost sheep.

The Divine Shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to go after the one who is lost and hurting. This doesn't mean the ninety-nine are loved any less; it means they just aren't in trouble at the moment. Think of it this way: You don't love your healthy child less when you rush to comfort the child who is crying or hurt—you simply attend to the greater, present need. That single sheep isn't demanding equality; it's receiving equity—a radical act of personalized provision, because its need is now. This immediate attention reflects a love that is infinite, a love rooted in the truth that you are uniquely created in the Divine's likeness, making your individual struggle profoundly important.

A Breakthrough in Prayer

This truth resonated deeply with me during my evening prayers just last night. The realization came that my life is not defined by the speed or quantity of my progress, but by the quality of my presence and my faith. I had been struggling with guilt over my physical limitations and my inability to contribute, but in that moment of stillness, I recognized that God was not waiting for me to be equal to others in my energy or capacity. God was simply meeting me where I am, in my weakness, and offering exactly what I needed—an affirmation that Divine grace is sufficient for me.

Because I asked for help with humility, I received equity—the specific accommodations and support I needed to continue my studies despite my physical challenges. I was given permission to trust that things will work out, just not necessarily on my own timeline.

Trusting the Divine Timeline: Grace in Absence

If you are currently struggling to see past the next day, remember that your worth is not tied to your productivity, your speed, or your timeline.

This year, the physical reality of my condition and the demanding start to my new postgraduate program mean I will have to miss the annual gathering in Detroit. For those of you who know how much that community time means to me, you know this is a truly painful absence.

Yet, this too is a lesson in equity. When we are unable to be physically present for fellowship, the Divine does not leave us without community or without grace. We are called to be present in the here and now, focusing on being present in the experience, living to learn, and fostering ourselves in a positive way. The small steps you take in faith today—the small asks, the moments of rest, the honest conversations—are what ultimately build the unshakable foundation for the successful life God intends for you.

Trust the process, and trust the grace found in the small victories.

A Final Word of Grace and Strength

“But Their grace is sufficient for you, for Their power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

A Prayer for Immediate Grace and Equity

O Divine Presence, knowing us in our need and our profound fragility, we thank you for the promise of infinite love. Grant us the humility to speak our burdens, the wisdom to receive the equity of your grace, and the courage to trust your perfect timing. Be near to us, loving us uniquely in this present moment of struggle, that in our weakness, your power may be made known. Amen.