February 12, 2025

Viewing all things through the lens of the True and the beautiful!

The True

A Thin Line

Less than two hours after swimming the best race of her life, she was in tears of disappointment.

You can likely relate. Perhaps it is because of having competed in athletics, or maybe due to something that occurred in your professional career, or possibly even a personal ambition or goal. Regardless of the context, you almost certainly know how thin the dividing line can be between success and disappointment. Mere milliseconds or inches—or a narrow decision that cuts for or against you—has the potential to be the difference between elation and devastation.

In this case, it was a qualifying swim meet, and our daughter had a goal of swimming a state meet qualifying time in both the 50 Free and the 50 Back. After swimming her best time ever in the 50 Free (not quite a qualifying time, but still objectively her best race in any event ever), she was brimming with confidence for the 50 Back. She was also hyper aware it was quite literally her last chance to qualify. It would take a perfectly clean race.

The first 25 yards were perfect, and the turn was good as well, but at about the 35-yard mark, her left arm clipped the lane line—and then did so again on the following stroke. It wasn’t much, but it was enough. She knew before even finishing she had come up short. The disappointment—and the tears that followed—were real.

What moment in your life does that story recall? What goal or achievement did you want so badly you could taste it? Perhaps, like our daughter, it was an athletic pursuit of the past, or maybe it is something you are still pursuing. Maybe a career goal, or a relational one. Maybe you have already tasted sweet victory in it, or maybe you also know the feeling of bitter disappointment.

It is a reality of life that the line between what we deem to be success and disappointment can be exceedingly thin.

So what are you as a Jesus follower to do in those situations? How should you handle success? How should you navigate disappointment? There is a beautiful freedom found in God’s Word that can clearly guide you no matter which side of that very thin line you currently find yourself. It’s a freedom echoed throughout scripture, but beautifully articulated in John 1:12:

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

Your worth and your identity as a Jesus follower are not determined by the milliseconds or the narrow decisions that land you on one side or the other of the thin line of the moment. In fact, in both success and disappointment, your reality, your worth, and your identity is fully encompassed in the fact that God has called you His child.

It is true when you win and when you succeed.

It is true when you lose and when you are disappointed.

You are a child of God! There is no line—thin or thick—that can separate you from God’s love (Rom. 8:38-39)!

Later that evening, after the tears had passed, I overheard a conversation between our daughter and a sibling. The sibling asked how she was feeling now. Her answer was everything:

“I’m good now. I’m a daughter of the King!”

U.S.

Eyes of the World

The eyes of the world (an average of about 127.7 million pairs of them) were on Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on Sunday, as the Kansas City Chiefs attempted to win a third straight championship. The Philadelphia Eagles had other plans, however, and cruised to a dominating 40-22 win, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, who was named MVP of the game. Even the lopsided result did not prevent a record-setting audience from tuning in across a variety of platforms and reaching an estimated 135.7 million people at peak viewership.

Analysis and eternal perspective: In many ways, the Super Bowl is the biggest single sporting event in the world. While other events—the World Cup, the Olympics, and others—draw more viewership over a longer period of time, the Super Bowl is known for attracting the most attention for a single contest. As a result, it commands astonishing advertising revenue—a 30-second spot cost nearly $8 million this year—and the multi-day event outshines the actual game in many ways (as evidenced by the viewership numbers in a non-competitive game).

Even many non-football fans tune in for the game (it is certainly true in our house, as it is the one time of the year the rest of the family has at least some interest in following the game with me), which only adds to the appeal for marketers.

As a Jesus follower, there are some important takeaways here. While your football loyalty might be with the Eagles, the Chiefs, or elsewhere (da Bears!), the ultimate object of your attention should always be your Savior (Heb. 12:2). A spectacle event like the Super Bowl is a good opportunity to give thanks for the reality that your identity is not found in the outcome of a sporting event or even a personal accomplishment, but rather in the unfathomable gift of being a child of the King.

We should also consider how to effectively call the eyes of the world to a fixation on the Savior. Marketers spend millions to attract consumers to their product. You and I have the free gift of eternal life to offer! How are we creatively setting that beautiful gift before those who need it? Take a moment today to consider how you might be particularly equipped to offer the greatest gift of all to those around you. The return on investment is infinitely better than 30 seconds for $8 million!

The Equipped

Share the Mission

The Equipped has always been, and always will be, free! We are in this together! You can share in the mission by forwarding The Equipped to a friend and encouraging them to give it a try. You can also help offset the cost of producing and sharing The Equipped by becoming a monthly partner. $5/month goes a long way in growing the reach and impact of our community. Together we are building a gathering of Jesus followers for a purpose much higher than earthly ambitions. Your prayer and mine is that this community—this family—would lead the way for Jesus followers to chart a new course aimed at the flourishing of society and the glory of God!

World

A Shaky Ceasefire

Less than a month into the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, there are serious signs it is faltering. After a series of hostage-for-prisoner releases, both sides are accusing the other of violating the ceasefire, and Hamas has threatened to delay the next planned release of hostages (set for this weekend). U.S. President Donald Trump, while not a party to the ceasefire deal, stated his belief that Israel should insist on the release of all remaining hostages by this weekend in order to maintain the ceasefire.

There are 73 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, at least 34 of whom are believed to be dead.

Analysis and eternal perspective: While extremely sobering, the news of the ceasefire faltering does not surprise you as a member of The Equipped family. We have been preparing ourselves with an understanding of just how tenuous the lull in fighting is, and while we remain committed to pursuing peace (Ps. 34:14), we also acknowledge that a lasting peace requires a defense of the oppressed (Is. 1:17).

As a result of this consistent preparation of our hearts, you and I are well equipped to continue fervently praying for the release of all held captive and for the sustaining of a lasting peace in the region. We do so with a sober reality of the depth of the conflict, but also deeply convicted that our God can make a way where there seems to be no way (Is. 43:19).

So, this week, as those made in the image of God and living in the Middle East face yet another critical crossroads in this long and violent ordeal, reaffirm your commitment to praying for the afflicted, working for a peace that is true and lasting, and holding to a personal security that is rooted in a biblical understanding of the ongoing conflict.

Reminder: You can re-visit our biblical lens for the ongoing war here.

U.S.

Buyout on Hold

A U.S. federal judge has put on hold an offer put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump to buyout federal employees. The offer, which the White House says has already been accepted by 65,000 federal workers, is to voluntarily separate from the federal workforce with severance pay until the end of September rather than comply with a return to full in-office schedules. The temporary pause on executing the buyout plan is to remain in effect until a final ruling on the legality of the offer is made.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Nearly five years after “15 days to slow the spread” office closures were announced, many federal offices continue to operate in a hybrid fashion, with employees working partial weeks in the office and the remainder from home. As the new administration seeks a full return to “normal,” many employees (including those who have relocated) will need to make career and family decisions accordingly. The administration argues the buyout offer is a generous way to provide options for those employees, while opponents argue the return to the office mandate goes too far.

As is so often the case, the details of a story like this are easily lost on those of us not directly impacted by them. Even so, both of the following are true: 1) Federal employees are paid by U.S. taxpayer dollars, which elected leaders have a moral obligation to steward wisely, and 2) There is a real-life impact for the families of federal employees—both those changing their daily rhythm and those choosing to leave the federal workforce.

You, like me, can likely relate to the challenge of leaving a job or having a significant change in your employment status. You can hold to (and pray others would, as well) the promise from God to supply all your needs (Philip. 4:19). My prayer for you this week goes one step further, and it is that you, “having all that you need, will abound in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8).

Your God will provide, and He will do so that you might flourish for the good of others!

The Beautiful

Sweet Refuge

Psalm 34:8 is a beautiful depiction of what it means to truly know of the Lord’s goodness—something it ascribes not to those free from adversity, but rather to those who choose to take refuge in Him! Taste of his sweet refuge this week!

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him” (Ps. 34:8).