A Measure of Success

How do you measure success? Is it getting that perfect job, or marrying the right person? Is it a big house with lots of kids and a big yard? Maybe it’s a big 401K, or the ability to travel, or lots of well connected friends. And after you achieve your version of success, what next? Is it a raise and a secretary? A corner office? Or maybe once you’ve succeeded in life you just sit back and enjoy your success.

Jesus knew what success was for him:

I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You gave me to do… John 17:4

God had sent him to provide salvation to the world. The Father was very clear about what Jesus was to accomplish. Earlier Jesus had told Nicodemus exactly why he came:

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whoever believes may in him have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. John 3:14-17

For Jesus, success was dying, conquering death, and rising from the dead. It was accomplishing the work God had given him to do.

Success for us is not so different. Not many of us will be asked to die. But we are asked to give up our own definition of success, our own goals and worldly desire, and live to achieve the good work God has for us.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Success is the same for us that it was, and is, for Jesus. We are to do the work the God has prepared for us, and prepared us for. You are unique. God knit you together in His own way for His own purpose. He created you with a personality, with talents and characteristics that make you who you are, and then He gave you gifts from the Holy Spirit so that you could do what only you can do. You can bring Him glory like no one else can.

How does your definition of success line up with God’s definition? What is keeping you from being successful? Set aside your fear, your feeling of inadequacy, your selfishness, and live for God. Be successful.