Glorify God

What do the OU Softball team and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone have in common?

1. Both won their biggest competition this year, and
2. They both did it while giving the glory to God.

OU Softball has been known for their dominance on the field and their outspoken love for Jesus these past several years (especially during their 4-peat at the Women’s College World Series).

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone broke the women’s 400m hurdles world record for the sixth time at this year’s Olympics. She has spoken so much about God working through her and she gives Him glory for all her races.

Their love for the Lord was loud, despite ESPN and other news outlets trying to silence their voices and mocking their faith.

This brings me to Scripture:

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ” 1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

As Christians, we have given our lives to the Lord. In this verse, Paul is saying that in everything we do, we are to do it for God, giving the glory to Him.

Now, the examples I gave earlier were from victories. They won their competition and championships. Yet, instead of glorifying themselves, they chose to honor the Lord instead.

God gave them that victory. He worked in and through them.

This doesn’t mean that we will always have success. There will always be a losing team, an unsuccessful venture, or something going wrong. But Jesus says He is with us through it all. In Jesus, we have the ultimate victory.

A recent sports example of a loss is the Netherlands national football (soccer) team.

Throughout their Euro 2024 tournament run, many of their players would give the glory to God after scoring, winning, or on social media. The national team’s social media account even re-posted some of those Bible verses.

In the semi-finals, however, they ended up getting knocked out of the tournament (unfairly, in my opinion, but that’s irrelevant here).

Yet, those same players continued to post Bible verses and seek the Lord during that rough time. They kept the faith and continue to work hard.

It’s easy to say we love Jesus when life is good. It’s another thing, a test of our faith, to follow Him in the hard times.

Yet, He is worthy. God is good, even when life is hard or things don’t go the way we thought.

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 ESV

So what does this have to do with photography?

I was nominated for the Norman Transcript’s Reader’s Choice Awards earlier this year for best photographer. Some sweet clients nominated me and I know many of you were kind enough to vote.

I was so hopeful that I would win and get more exposure for Prailey Nicole Photography. In my mind, it would’ve helped me grow my business.

I ended up not winning, but it looked like I got second place. I was still disappointed, though.

I didn’t win, but God still deserves the glory: for what He has done through my business; how He’s changed me in these last few years of PNP; because He is holy and redeemed me. There’s countless reasons.

God still works in our messes. Each one of us was created in His image, and He has us where we need to be, guiding His children on the right path.

His plan is good and will prevail, even when we feel things should have gone differently.

In every circumstance, we can choose to have a heart of worship towards the Lord.

Here’s a couple of verses to close:

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16-17 NIV

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 ESV

When life is amazing and when it’s hard, God is working and we can give Him the glory He deserves. I want to reflect that in my life, in my photography, and I want you to see that in your portraits, too.