Is there an issue that has been written about, lectured on or preached about any more than the topic of SUCCESS?
In order for anyone to evaluate the idea of being successful, they first need to be wearing the ‘right’ kind of goggles. Your worldview has everything to do with how you’ll view success! If you are all about getting more, bigger, better….did I mention more?!! If these are your standards, you’ll never be content and therefore you’ll never feel successful.
The world’s definition of success is to have a favorable outcome. I think that is our problem. It is so easy to get fixated on “having a favorable outcome” that we totally diminish the value of the journey! I am a firm believer that some of life’s most precious and valuable experiences come when you are in the valley, not on the mountaintop. If I am always trying to avoid the valley (working for a favorable outcome) how will I learn the most important lessons God has for me?? Take a look at the first chapter of James and you’ll see it laid out for you. Actually, all you need is the first 8 verses. Gods Word has a way of saying it plain but it can sting a little bit.
Do yourself a favor and bag the worlds definition of success and look for God’s standard instead. I’m glad my friends in northern Nigeria who see loved ones kidnapped and murdered for coming to faith in Christ have on the right set of goggles. Actually, I’m glad I serve a God who trusts me and loves me enough to allow me to walk through a few valleys. Every time they occur it becomes one of the best opportunities you’ll ever get to showcase his love and grace. HUH??? Yep, when you walk through the valley, Jesus gets all the more glory……………IF YOU HAVE ON THE RIGHT SET OF GOGGLES.
I’ll leave you with this today. My favorite life verse is 2Cor 12:9. “My grace is sufficient for you and MY power is made perfect in weakness”. I want his power, how about you?
Greg
