Pageant Devotional Submission

Devotional submissions should:

  • be 500 words or less
  • have a clear beginning, middle and end
  • include at least one scripture, but no more than three
  • be focused on a single PAGEANT-SPECIFIC topic 
  • include a personal pageant story

Some Things to Consider or Suggestions

  1. grab the reader’s attention with a shocking fact or personal story
  2. introduce the topic & establish credibility (why should we trust you)
  3. answer the question: why is this topic important
  4. identify with the reader, avoid preaching at the reader
  5. stick to ONE lesson, if you find yourself rabbit trailing, write another devotional
  6. include a your 1-2-3 steps of action
  7. wrap up with a challenge or call to action
  8. end with a note of encouragement.

Scroll to Bottom for Example Devotional.

Example Devotional:

Queen of the In-Between

When I was in sixth grade, I entered an art contest. Students were tasked with designing posters advertising the upcoming Scholastic Book Fair. The posters would be displayed down the school corridors. The winner would receive a $25 gift certificate to the school book fair and have their poster in the library window. I was a major book worm and avid artist, so I went to work. Taking inspiration from a book I was reading, I created a unique poster. When it was brought to school for submission, all my classmates agreed that I’d win.

One day, the principal came on the loudspeaker to announce the winners. Starting with third place, he didn’t call my name. YES! I didn’t want third place. I was on the edge of my seat because my name wasn’t called for second place. A name was called for first place…but it wasn’t mine. Not only did I not get first place…I didn’t place at all!

In that moment, I was crushed.

Suddenly, the principal said, “And the GRAND PRIZE WINNER is…” My name was called! 

You see, we don’t know what we don’t know. I didn’t know there was any placement better than 1st place.

So, as I stood on stage at my first pageant waiting for semi-finalists to be called, I listened for my name. I was certain I would not only be called…I was going to be crowned. The last semifinalist was called. My name had not been called. I could feel nothing but utter ice-cold embarrassment. My sponsors, my family and my friends were all watching. At the same moment, the Lord reminded me of the sixth grade art contest. He reminded me of the moments when I didn’t know there was a grand prize. That crushing moment when I didn’t know what I didn’t know. As the curtains closed, he whispered to my heart…”Don’t worry, there is a grand prize for you. You are just living in the in-between.”

Time has passed from that moment, and I can tell you for certain…the LORD knew exactly what he was doing. I often say, “I needed to lose as much as the winner needed to win.” So much growth happened that year after I lost. I can honestly say I am so happy I didn’t win. Loss often teaches us more than success.

Isaiah 60:22 says, “When the time is right, I, the Lord, will make it happen.” Winning a crown will happen at exactly the right time in your life.

I want to challenge you to be a queen, even in the in-between, even when you don’t see the grand prize yet.

Word Count: 440