What is success? It probably means different things to different people. One person said, "Success is the ability to fulfill your desires with effortless ease." Another person said, "Success is an outcome and a state of mind and being and a matter of choice." And still another concluded, "Success is your belief that you will achieve anything you desire." There seem to be a consensus that accepts the definition of success as, "The achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted."
It is important for Christians to understand that success as understood in the usual secular sense of the word is not promised in the kingdom of God. God never promised anybody a star-studded career. He never promised achievement in the worldly understanding of the word. In fact, God promises the exact opposite.
What God reveals in His word is for every Christian to expect opposition, disappointments, hard obstacles, setbacks and even satanic assault. Even God's own Son was not exempt from the flames and arrows of hardships for He was "wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities." Scripture makes it clear that God's concept of success has to do with suffering for the sake of the kingdom; faithfulness in the fight against the powers of corruption, enduring the race to the end.
Success in the spiritual sense includes a cross in the equation. Paul called it rejoicing in tribulations. He said, "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. If you want to check my credentials; if you want to verify my certification do not look at the degrees hanging on my wall ? but look at my scars; look at my bruises, look at the wounds on my body for Christ's sake."
You see success is radically different in the kingdom of God because as His employees we are not responsible for the outcome of our labor. We are not in management; we are in a kind of sales position. We are required to make contact and presentation. That is the end of it. We are not responsible for the results of our presention. We are essentially sowers. We are called to plant seeds, tell the story and then leave the rest to God. Paul said, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow."
What this means is that we are not graded according to what the world calls accomplishment. Success is not predicated on receptivity; on how well something is received or how well we are able to produce.
The question may rightly be asked, by what criteria do our Lord evaluate our performance? If it has nothing to do with accomplishment, then what is God's mode of measurement? Well, I believe God's answer would be that we satisfy and please Him only to the extent that we plant the seeds in people's lives by telling the truth about Him and the human predicament and remaining faithful to that function.
God did not call us to be successful; He called us to be faithful. Honor the assignment God gave you. Spread the word, keep the faith, carry your cross, tell the story wherever you go.
Our Christian goal is not a degree; it is not certification. It is a crown that will replace our cross.
Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, is expected to be available soon.
You are welcome to visit AMEN Ministries: Your Soul's Service Station for spiritual refreshing, soul edification, browse our newly expanded mini shopping mall or review our recommended books you may want to add to your personal library.
Blessings to all!
MOST PEOPLE NEVER REALLY CHANGESad, but true.Some people never even... Read More
There is an inherent generosity in the human spirit to... Read More
When the Bible makes reference to a "yoke" it is... Read More
An interesting question that frequently comes up is "Which Gods... Read More
As a walked across the gym floor with perspiration coming... Read More
Among those arriving to the stadium early were two old... Read More
As we proceed further into the 21st century there is... Read More
You are a Creative Worker:God carries on creative work through... Read More
Each of us has far more potential to serve the... Read More
So I met a friend recently and we went to... Read More
Catch the express or the super fast bullet train. If... Read More
As a child growing up, whenever I was worried about... Read More
Someone asked me the other day what was the most... Read More
The Angelic realms have been very active throughout the human... Read More
An angel can be your best friend. Angels have been... Read More
The Planetary Spread is an excellent layout to use when... Read More
There was a time in my life when I seriously... Read More
If we don't behave according to a specific church's doctrine,... Read More
It is tough being here on this plane. You have... Read More
My lady Lydia was a Hawkins of the ancestry of... Read More
Although your creative ability and talent is something that God... Read More
David understood the aguish only those who have chosen to... Read More
An Introduction to MatthewSETTINGHave you ever been promised something wonderful,... Read More
Many of you come to this site because you are... Read More
One night, whilst watching TV, I understood a very useful... Read More
The lighter side of Tarot deals with games played using... Read More
Acknowledgement of our need of God and reliance upon Him... Read More
Taco Bell, the Mexican fast-food franchise, has a new ad... Read More
Second Isaiah, so called because his book of prophecy was... Read More
Charity isn't the easiest virtue to master. And with St.... Read More
Before Donna was born she took with her a dollar,... Read More
We all hear of the concept of the "Enlightened Master",... Read More
A feeling of fulfillment is something we all seek. Here... Read More
So, none of us arrived with an Owner's Manual, neatly... Read More
African-American people are natural caretakers. We do a great job... Read More
"I resolve to speak ill of no man?and proper occasions... Read More
It's amazing how - even when we're working from a... Read More
I am a big believer in the strength of a... Read More
Everything in the entire universe, big and small, visible and... Read More
Many people are awakening today to the idea that the... Read More
Everyone is busy nowadays. It's hard to find time for... Read More
Does God care if I marry a gentile?Even as I... Read More
What is the purpose of guilt?Well, let's look at it.Some... Read More
2 Corinthians 6:17-6:17For God so loved the world, that He... Read More
For me, the best poetry stirs my soul; it awakens... Read More
My fiancee' and I frequent a restaurant in L.A. called... Read More
An angel can be your best friend. Angels have been... Read More
The deeper beauty of spring is its process. In winter's... Read More
Matthew 3:1-3 The Preaching of John the Baptist1 In those... Read More
I am beginning a journey starting tomorrow. I have decided... Read More
On one side there is a dark cloud. It is... Read More
It doesn't matter what magazine or newspaper you pick up... Read More
Spending 'Quiet Time' with the LordFrom the beginning of my... Read More
Most of us have heard talk or have read something... Read More
A spiritual event is what happens in every moment of... Read More
Sounds like a tall order doesn't it? But I think... Read More
The fastest way to raise your frequency is to do... Read More
Until recently, miracles were usually credited to a supernatural power.... Read More
Every workday, five days a week, I take the light... Read More
In earlier articles entitled "We Are Not Our Personalities", "Eliminating... Read More
God !"My son will be brought up in a place... Read More
Has America known its finest hour? Are we losing our... Read More
1. How can anyone receive direct communication from Divine Source,... Read More
Coming face to face with yourself in the space between... Read More
We have to go through some unfortunate experiences sometimes in... Read More
Have you ever wondered which Angel governs your sign? And... Read More
Spirituality |