July 22, 2026

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

The True

More Grace Than Cost

“I look at my life and I see more grace than cost, more gift than sacrifice.”

That was the proclamation of a congregant-turned-missionary this weekend at our church as our family worshipped together. It was striking and impactful to me because what I saw in her life was abundant cost and sacrifice. I saw the relinquishment of comfort, abundance, and ease. I saw the loss of personal safety and protection. I saw the limiting of ambition and acclaim. I saw the desirable but humble reality of dying to self for the gain of others.

I saw something good yet immensely costly. I knew what she was saying to be true, but what I saw was more cost and sacrifice than grace and gift, and it leads me to ask the following of each one in our community today:

“Do you have eyes to see the grace and the gift, or do you first notice the cost and the sacrifice?”

As I personally reflected on this question, it hit me hard that both sides of the equation are always present. When Peter walks on water in Matthew 14, both Jesus and the waves are there. They are both real. It is not as though Peter had to acknowledge one and deny the other to stay above the water. Instead, it was a matter of what Peter chose to look at. It was a matter of what he saw.

Peter, upon being called by Jesus, got out of the water and began walking to Jesus. The mere act of stepping out of the boat confirms Peter’s fixation on Jesus. The only way he could make that decision is by seeing Jesus as bigger than the storm around him.

Conversely, it was when Peter “saw the wind” (Matt. 14:30) that he became afraid and began to sink. Jesus was quick to rescue Peter, but the illustration brings us back to the same question:

When both great grace and great cost are present, are you choosing to see the grace above the cost?

It is an extraordinarily simple and obvious principle, and one I will intentionally leave unembellished. We are to fix our eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:2). We are to choose to see Him and Him alone. It is not that cost and sacrifice are not present—they are! It is that “where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Rom. 5:20).

My friend, it is all intermingled. Grace and gift; cost and sacrifice. The question is, which one will you choose to see? The one you see is the one that will loom large in your life!

World

Smoke and Tariffs

The relationship between the United States and Canada is being tested on two major fronts this week: smoke and tariffs.

First, the smoke from raging Canadian wildfires covered large portions of the U.S. this week, with major cities including Chicago, Washington, DC, and New York City significantly impacted. The smoke was at times thick enough to shroud the skyline and dramatically reduce air quality, which led to many cancellations of outdoor events.

Next, U.S. President Donald Trump announced new 50% tariffs on many Canadian goods, including automobiles, dairy, and alcohol (see the White House fact sheet here). The White House accused Canada of discriminatory trade practices and said, “only two countries have chosen to retaliate against President Trump’s tariffs rather than negotiate a deal with the United States: the People’s Republic of China and Canada.”

Analysis and eternal perspective: These two factors in the relationship between the U.S. and Canada are distinct but overlapping. President Trump blamed Canada for the economic impact on the U.S. caused by the wildfire smoke, as well as the potential health hazard it posed for millions of Americans. It appeared to further strain the economic relationship between the two countries and exacerbate an already testy conversation about trade. The tariffs are slated to go into effect August 19 unless a deal can be reached beforehand.

The smoky haze was a prime example of a natural event into which The Equipped community should mobilize. If you have not already done so, take a moment to make a list of those in your area who might benefit from a check-in the next time a natural disaster (or wafting wildfire smoke) makes it more difficult for them to get out and about. In many cases, just the reassurance that they are not alone goes a long way in easing the burden of worry.

As for tariffs, many previous tariff announcements have later been rescinded after negotiations lead to an agreement. It remains to be seen if that will be the case with Canada, but if not, you can expect your cost of goods originating in Canada to rise significantly. The Equipped community should view this as an opportunity to become even more sensitive to and aware of the needs of those around us.

Finally, the presence of smoke in the air gives us cause to remember scripture’s warning against slothfulness: “As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are sluggards to those who send them” (Pr. 10:26).

Sports

Then There Was Spain

Spain is the World Cup champion after defeating Argentina 1-0 on a goal in extra time Sunday. The win extends Spain’s unbeaten streak to a record 38 games (29 wins, 9 ties) and secured the country’s second World Cup title. On the other side of the ball, the match may have been the final World Cup appearance for Argentina legend Lionel Messi. France star Kylian Mbappé won the Golden Boot for most goals scored after finding the back of the net twice in the third-place game to bring his tournament total to 10.

Analysis and eternal perspective: The World Cup is unrivaled in many ways. Every four years, the world comes together around the world’s most popular sport to compete for national pride. This year’s tournament brought the world to North America and highlighted the game in a place that is the biggest economic market in the world (though still clearly not the location of the world’s best men’s soccer). While many Americans are avid soccer fans, many more became so for the six weeks of the tournament.

We as The Equipped family have had a regular conversation about how to use the World Cup to reach the nations for Jesus. Now, as teams and fans return to their respective home countries, let us reflect across all our varied nationalities on the ways in which we should carry out our common call to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19).

Finally, take a moment to reflect on the beauty of God’s creation that has been on display during the World Cup. All manner of people and cultures in a beautiful mix that punctuates the astounding truth that God has made us in His image and called us to His side!

World

Seventh Time's a Charm

Andy Burnham is the newly installed prime minister of the UK. He is the seventh to hold the position in the last 10 years after his predecessor, Keir Starmer, formally resigned the post just two years after claiming it. Prime Minister Burnham also assumes leadership of the Labor Party and will attempt to do what his predecessors have been unable to: maintain a governing consensus.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Governments of men come and go, but the Kingdom of God reigns forever (Rev. 11:15; Ps. 145:13, Lk. 1:33). It is a truth we know well but one driven home by this story. While seven leaders in 10 years is an extreme example, the truth is that even the longest-tenured national leaders are but the blink of an eye against the long story of eternity. James 4:14 reminds us, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

It is tempting to view this truth as limiting, but it is so very liberating. The God of the universe—the one who made and commands it all—has invited you into His forever story. Your time on the Earth is short for now, but He is making all things new (Rev. 21:5) and there is nothing you can do to be separated from His love (Rom. 8:38-39).

Whether you feel lowly or you are temporarily assigned to the highest position in the land, your mission on Earth is to glorify the God of heaven (Is. 43:21). The pressure is off, and you don’t have to hold a governing consensus together. Jesus finished the work on the cross, and you now get to walk in His freedom.

The Beautiful

Goal to Gaze

Psalm 27:4 beautifully depicts the simple totality of life’s aim:

“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”

Stop. Look around you. Do you see it? The beauty of the Lord is all around you! There is freedom in letting go of worry about who you are, and instead simply gazing upon the beauty of God.

Today, make it your goal to gaze!