Are You Successful?

Are you successful? Of course this is a loaded question, but it will get you to thinking! Well...are you? Stay with me for a few minutes and you'll see where I'm going!

What do you think success is? Is it amassing riches and possessions? Many folks have great riches and possessions, but are extremely miserable. Is success measured by how long a person does a certain thing? Some couples have been married more than 50 years and say it was 50 years of misery. Is someone successful when they are famous? History tells us most people who are famous are not happy at all. Is someone successful when they reach the top of the corporate ladder? A lot of people are not happy because of what that had to do to get there. If you want to know what true success is....you CANNOT measure it by the above mentioned gauges.

So what is true success? It is very, very simple. Are you ready for this? True success is pleasing God. There it is. When the God of all creation is pleased...you're successful, no matter what you do! We are created to please God. So...is your marriage successful? The question really is...does your marriage please God? If it does, you have a successful marriage! Are you successful in your job/profession? Or is your job performance pleasing to God? If so...no matter how much or how little you make; no matter how long (or short) you've been there...you are successful! If your position atop the corporate ladder brings pleasure to God, ditto...you are successful.

True success is anchored in a genuine relationship with God through Jesus. This post is full of questions so here comes another one. Are you successful in your walk with Jesus? Is your heart set on pleasing God? If so, you are successful as a follower of Christ. The fact is, those who please God are not only successful in their relationship with Him, but they will be successful in other areas of their lives.

One of my favorite Scriptures (and I have quite a few) comes from Matthew 6:33. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Success comes when we put Jesus first. It's that simple! Once we truly grasp this...our life changes from the inside out!

The world has its forms of success. These forms are propelled by the world and all its systems. Systems like Hollywood and television, and entertainment. When one becomes famous through these medium, others consider them successful. Have you noticed though that most of these have a failed marriage or marriages. Others end up financially busted. Some end up busted by the law, and many end up in drug rehab with their lives in shambles. Are they really successful? I think not. To truly know Jesus is to be successful! Because to truly know Jesus you cannot help but have a heart after Him; a heart that desires to please Him first. Wow! That is success...and there are no limits to this kind of success!!

The good news for all of us is that even though we all may fail, we can come to Jesus. He stands ready to receive a sincere heart; a heart ready and prepared to please Him. Many times it is our failures themselves that turn our hearts to a loving and forgiving God. In Him we find forgiveness and peace that passes all understanding. In Him we find success!  What do you think?

                                                                     

Steve is  available to teach/preach God's Word in churches, conferences, workshops, special meetings and groups. Some of the subjects include prayer, praise and worship, marriage, missions, etc., among others. If I can serve you please contact me at harvcel@gmail.com.