We all have a different definition of the meaning of success. It can relate to everything from a multi-billion dollar bank account, a sports car, control of a company, good health, a loving family, a mansion home, a thriving career, a home in another country, building the largest church in the world, or a Christian heritage, as well as everything in between. We all want to feel good about our self and our lifetime achievements. We want immortality through our success. We use everything and everyone else to make us happy, but every relationship, accomplishment or possession simply disappoints us.
Some people will follow
someone else’s aspirations for them. They want to attain the love, respect and
pride of their parent or mentor and they strive toward objectives to achieve
this goal, but it never really makes them feel happy or successful. They go to
college to get a job to earn money, but they are miserable because they hate
their work. They are not doing God’s will for them. There is an ache in the
most successful life that can only be filled by a deep, intimate relationship
with Jesus Christ, followed by doing only His will for our life.
When we come to the end of
our self, we will either give up and wander homelessly, or commit suicide to
end it all, or turn our life over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Pursuing a
sinful lifestyle can only bring us ultimate ruin and death, but allowing the
Spirit of God to control our existence will bring us life and peace (Romans
8:6). We are all sinners. Our conduct
may be better than our neighbor’s or a family member’s behavior, but we all
fall short of the glory of God, which is the true standard for morality (Romans
3:23).
The wages of that sin is
death, but God gives us the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). Once we admit our sinful lifestyle and make up our
mind to turn our life over to God for redemption, He rescues us from the realm
of darkness and gives us His life (John 8:12). We are a city set on a hill and His light in us
shines out to draw everyone to Him (Matthew 5:14). All we need to do is to trim our lamp through Bible
study and prayer, and then be a friend and neighbor to those God puts in our
life.
God gives us supernatural joy and peace. We have no need to be afraid of what we should eat or drink or wear, because as we seek God first, He cares for us and supplies all of our needs (Matthew 6:33). Then, we live with gratitude in our heart as we give God all of our concerns through prayer. His peace, which surpasses all human reasoning, will keep our soul in health and will lead us through each moment of our day (John 14:27; Philippians 4:4-7; 3 John 1:2).
Prayer:
Father God, allow us to be a
good example of a Believer in what we say, how we live and in our love, faith
and holiness (1 Timothy 4:12).
Help us to find success one minute at a time as Christ’s ambassadors (2
Corinthians 5:20). Let us share a smile,
a kind word and a helping hand. Help us to be a diligent employee, a serving
church member and a dedicated part of our family. Show us what true success is
in this life; not as the world gives, but as You give it to us. Shed Your peace
throughout our soul – our mind, will and emotions - and fill us with Your love
now and for eternity (Philippians 4:7; Romans 5:5).
Thought for the Day:
Worldly success is temporal
and fleeting, but spiritual success lasts for eternity. 