Redefining Success
Dave Faust
Christians need to redefine success. We shouldn't measure it with status symbols or dollar signs. Genuine success is more than meeting our own goals or fulfilling other people's expectations. What does it take to be truly successful?
An unbending faith in God's goodness and power. Successful Christians are like the psalmist who said, "Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me" (Psalm 54:4). They affirm with the apostle Paul, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).
A teachable spirit. Fruitful Christians are perpetual students. We need to grow as readers and listeners, asking lots of questions and trying out fresh ideas. Wise persons don't quit learning when they leave school. They learn from their mistakes, listen to wise advice, and study the Word of God.
A refusal to accept mediocrity. When Tiger Woods won the Masters golf tournament a few years ago, sportswriters predicted he would change the game forever. Woods raised the bar. Young golfers and old pros alike realized that to keep up, they would need to practice harder and play better. No musicians are perfect, but the best of them master the fundamentals so well that you rarely hear them miss a note. The Lord deserves our best. It honors him when we pursue excellence.
A courageous commitment to truth. God told Joshua, "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go" (Joshua 1:7). Godly choices aren't always popular ones. Genuine success means doing the right thing even when it goes against the prevailing cultural norms.
A servant's heart. Jesus said, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant" (Mark 10:43). Success isn't measured by what we do "up front stage," but by what we do "back stage." It's a cup of cold water given in Jesus' name. It's an act of kindness offered at home or in a hospital, nursing home, classroom, or factory break room. The Bible says, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up" (James 4:10).
A relentless reliance on the Lord. We fail; the Lord doesn't. "Not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed" (Joshua 23:14). We waver; the Lord's "righteousness will never fail" (Isaiah 51:6). We struggle with faithlessness, but his "compassions never fail" (Lamentations 3:22).
Perhaps the best definition of success? Consider this one, from Jesus' prayer to his heavenly Father in John 17:4: "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do."
This column first appeared in The Lookout on Dec 8, 2002.
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