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.

Be Resolved!

Did you make a New Year’s resolution? Perhaps you resolved to exercise more, to diet and drop those extra pounds you might have put on over the holidays. One man I know resolved to read all the books on the list of 100 books everyone should read in their lifetime. Maybe you’ve resolved to read your Bible through this year.

As you look at the year ahead, what do you anticipate? Do you see another year of stability, doing the same things you’ve normally done, living a comfortable year that looks remarkably like the last one? Or do you see a year of change ahead?

2014 promises to be a year of change for me. I have one semester of school left, and will graduate in May. I may take some summer classes, but the one thing I know for sure is that I will have to get a job. I have no idea what God has in mind for me. The one thing I do know is that He doesn’t expect me to go it alone, and has prepared me for whatever he has for me next.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Did you catch the good part? He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. I have a pretty active imagination. I can’t wait to see what He has in store!  And he already knows what He has for you:

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

 Ephesians 2:10

So, whatever your resolutions for the next year, whatever you think your future holds, remember that whatever it is, you don’t do it alone. God has prepared you, he’s prepared the things he wants you to do, and he’s prepared the people who will see and be drawn to him through you. The only thing for you to do is to be prepared with a right and willing attitude.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  

It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

What will occupy your time this year? What good works will you do out of your love and gratitude to the Lord?

I resolve to face each day with grace to share, to try to remember to see each individual as precious, no matter my preconceptions, and to try to be kind. There, you heard it. It's in writing. Help me!