The anniversary of Libya’s revolution was preceded by weeks of apprehension, planning, tension, and concern, not only by international observers, but also by the Libyan government, Libyan civil society organizations, and average citizens on the street.

Airlines canceled flights in and out of the country, international organizations pulled staff and postponed programing, and government officials visited “high-risk” regions such as Benghazi to reassure the populace of their commitment and to ease fears that citizens would be marginalized and abandoned in the aftermath of the revolution.

To the relief of all, Libya once again demonstrated that it can be the success story of the Arab Spring, contrary to original predictions that it would remain unstable and a failed state. In fact, in Libya, unlike Tunisia and unlike Egypt, the system is moving forward, even if slowly.

Government officials such as Minister of Justice Salah Al-Marghani are acknowledging human rights abuses and difficult conditions for detainees and prisoners, and are working hard to resolve them by acting on recommendations to improve facilities, build new ones, and speed up the trials of those in custody. Libya’s General National Congress, under pressure from constituents and despite the reservations of its own members, voted to have representatives for the constitutional drafting committee elected rather than appointed. The Congress, also known as the General National Conference, also created a National Dialogue Committee to ensure that the Libyans are informed and engaged in the constitutional process.

Ordinary citizens, too, continue to bear a share of the responsibility by stepping in where the government is falling short. This was most recently seen in Benghazi when citizens organized community policing programs to help local officials and the national government ensure the city’s safety and security during the Feb. 15-17 anniversary weekend.

In other regions, Libyan citizens collected donations to beautify their neighborhoods by painting light posts in the colors of the Libyan revolutionary flag, painting the curbs, and displaying independence flags. In Janzour, a suburb of Tripoli, citizens collected donations to feed 600 police officials charged with keeping order and security around the clock.

To say that spirits were high throughout the anniversary weekend is an understatement. To guard against spoilers,people lined the streets in Tripoli, holding signs warning potential troublemakers to stay at home on Feb. 15 or they would face consequences. On Feb. 14, the Benghazi organizers of national demonstrations decided to cancel protests due to concerns that destabilizing agents would take advantage of civil society’s attempts to hold government accountable by turning protests violent. They were all too aware that international supporters were eyeing the anniversary nervously considering the chaos surrounding last September’s attack by militants on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi that killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans.

Radio programs featured continuous cautionary comments by Libyans to fellow citizens interspersed with prayers and goodwill wishes for individuals and for the country. Mosques and religious leaders did their part by coordinating, days in advance, around-the-clock calls of “God is Great; there is only one God”- a symbolic effort to remember the grace and blessing of God in saving the Libyan people from a tyrannical madman and in granting them a David-esque victory over Goliath.

This is what encourages the Libyan people despite the enormous obstacles they must overcome. The Libyan people believe, above all else, that this revolution was “thuwra rabaneeya,” which loosely translates as a “revolution made by God.”

Why? Because there was so much that could have gone wrong, and people felt they had swords hanging over their heads, but then triumphed due to their resolve and absolute faith in their just cause. Libyans believe they bear a burden of responsibility to make sure they do not falter because they see Libya’s “survival” as a blessing from God, and they feel they have to honor the sacrifice of the fallen martyrs and their families. Libyans also want to demonstrate respect for the international leaders, officials and advocates who took great national, financial, and in some cases, personal career risks by supporting the Libyan people.

And finally, Libyans want to ensure for their own sake that what they fought for succeeds because they know that the opportunity to build one’s nation anew and to take part in that plan is a valuable gift. They are cognizant of the fact that the world is watching them and they want to prove that they are a nation and a people changed.

So, though ordinary citizens might not have political power, or military might, or financial means, they have their voices, and drums, and flags, and fireworks, and face paint, and car horns to tell the world that they will fight to keep their country free, safe, stable, and hopefully, down the road, a paradigm to inspire the world once again.

What remaining hurdles do you see for Libya’s transition? Tell us your thoughts by submitting a comment below.

Rania Swadek is a program specialist for USIP in Tripoli.