Glitter and Grace in Vegas - Part 2

Part 2

So now that Jesus has adjusted my attitude (see yesterday’s post if you missed that backstory), I spent Friday morning walking around and observing people—all kinds of people. Those working, vacationing, sleeping on cardboard, those who seemed like me, and those who didn’t at all. As I watched them, I kept reminding myself: JESUS LOVES THEM. JESUS DIED FOR THEM. I must’ve thought it a thousand times.

The day began with a short run and a terrible breakfast. Then we met up with friends and wandered down Fremont Street. We stopped at Pink Box Donuts—yes, I got one. I ran a mile, so I figured I earned it.

It seems to me that there's not much to do in Las Vegas except to eat, drink and gamble. Having already eaten and not being much for drinking, I was left with one thing: gambling. I wondered if it was wrong to put a $20 bill in a slot machine. Was it a sin? Maybe, like with drinking, the issue isn’t the activity itself but the lack of self-control. Jesus turned water into wine, after all—so wine was not the problem. Drunkenness? That’s different. (I’d love to hear your thoughts on this—feel free to comment.)

Luck was briefly on my side, but eventually the machine started taking back what it had given. No surprise there.

I planned to leave for the church around 5:30 p.m. and gave myself an hour to get ready. Around 4:00, I excused myself from the group, went back to the room, and tried to relax—but honestly, I was too excited. Like a kid on Christmas Eve.

I was a little anxious about getting back to the hotel after the event. I made sure my Uber app was working (it had been a while), and once everything was updated, I felt ready. For the trip there, I planned to grab a taxi—since they were lined up outside the hotel like vultures.

Just before 5:00 p.m., I climbed into a bright purple cab driven by a young Ethiopian woman. Her English was limited, but we made do. Unfortunately, we headed in the wrong direction for about ten minutes before rerouting. Thankfully, I had left plenty early. We arrived at the church with about ten minutes to spare. The fare? $71.00. Yeah… Uber it is from here on out.

Inside, I had just enough time to browse the book table and join a cheerful line of women waiting to enter the auditorium. I quickly made two new friends—Irene and Candy—who invited me to sit with them when they realized that I was alone. I was so thankful they wanted to sit close to the front—because that was my plan too.

I knew I was in for a treat, but I what I wasn't expecting is what you don’t see in Beth's videos: Travis Cottrell and the worship team. WOW. They were filled with the Spirit and ushered all of us right into God’s presence. It was one of the most powerful worship experiences I’ve ever had. Tears streamed down my face.

Then came Beth—this humble servant of God who, before teaching, literally gets on her knees in prayer. She told us this would be the last time she’d do that on these knees—because on Monday she was scheduled for double knee replacement surgery. If I ever wear out my knees, I want it to be from falling on them in prayer before the God of all glory. 

She taught from Ezekiel 37:1–14—the valley of dry bones. I hadn’t spent much time in that passage before, but in true Beth fashion, she brought it to life. Her vivid teaching helped me picture the whole scene. And the irony of the dry bones in the desert is not lost on me - because isn't that what Las Vegas seemed to be? A valley of dry bones?

Beth also shared that her team faced major challenges trying to bring the event to Henderson. One of her staff, Jennifer, refused to give up and insisted the event move forward. In that moment, I was convinced—this entire event was for me. Listen, if Christ would have died for me alone, then surely He could make this event happen for me alone. What else could explain the timing?

After the first session, hundreds of women with raccoon eyes poured into the lobby, and volunteers smiled and thanked us for coming. "See you tomorrow!" they said. I noticed a staff badge on a woman near the exit: Jenn. I asked if she was the Jennifer Beth had mentioned. She was.

I stepped out of the crowd and into a quiet corner with her. A knot formed in my throat. “Thank you,” I whispered, barely able to speak through the tears. I told her how grateful I was that she had pushed through to make this event happen. I shared my admiration for Beth and how her ministry had been the catalyst for life change in me—twice. (I’ll share more on that another day.)

Jenn told me that their original host church had canceled after the woman she’d been working with passed away suddenly—a young mom battling a terminal illness. The rest of the staff didn’t know how to carry on, so they had to back out. But instead of accepting that, Jenn found another venue through divine providence and pressed forward.

We both cried. (Please pray for that young woman’s family.)

Honestly, I could’ve left after worship and felt like I had encountered the Lord. That evening was that powerful. But there was still more to come the next morning. Nine hours to go.

This post is long enough, so I won’t go into detail about sessions two and three. Just know that my soul needed to be in that space—with normal people who have said yes to God’s call. Normal people with fragile knees who use them for His glory.

I wish I had some grand ending—like Beth Moore herself walking down to meet me. But I don’t.

What I have is better: JESUS met me there.

He filled my cup.

He made me glad to be there, surrounded by other sinners, just like me.

And I’m suddenly so grateful that Jesus chose to spend His time with sinners.

 

Matthew 9:12–13

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

If there’s any place I’ve ever been that I suspect needed Jesus as much as I do—it’s Las Vegas. But He may have showed up that weekend for one sinner: me alone.

And I’m so glad He did.