Are You a Success?

Darkness cannot put out the lamp;

It can only make the light seem brighter!

Let your LIGHT SHINE today!

Are You a Success?

How would you describe a life well-lived? The average person might say wealth, accomplishment, fame, or influence makes you successful. To be honest, I find myself falling into the same deception from time to time. On the surface, I talk about wanting to please God. In practice, I'm hoping to impress people along the way. My difficulty is accepting that I'm significant in my heavenly Father's eyes, even if the world counts me as of little importance.

Can you relate to my dilemma? Most likely, you can. The church's perspective—at least in the West—isn't all that different from the culture around us. Who we are more likely to honor: the wealthy donor who funded the prayer chapel or the faithful band of intercessors who meet there every Wednesday night? If we had to choose, who would we rather be like? Which are we working towards more faithfully—worldly goals or godly character?

Jesus' parable of Lazarus and the rich man renews my perspective. It reminds me that even if others count me a success, that doesn't necessarily translate into heavenly rewards. In the story, our Lord described a wealthy man who "dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day" (Luke 16:19). A beggar named Lazarus lay at the rich man's gate. The poor man looked like a failure––sick, neglected, unable to provide for even his most basic needs.

Jesus' audience believed that sickness was a direct result of sin (John 9:2). Imagine their reaction at the end of the story, when Lazarus was comforted in heaven while the prosperous man was in torment. To their surprise, the destitute man was the one portrayed as rich towards God.

As believers, we need to remember that although we strive for earthly victories––whether popularity, influence, achievement, or wealth—these external indicators, or lack of them, have little or nothing to do with our success in the Lord's eyes. Unlike worldly triumphs, where the top spots are limited, God's kingdom has room for everyone to be their best.

A best-selling author is no more important than a godly mother. A CEO is no more valuable than a customer service associate. The pastor of the largest church is no more successful than a faithful intercessor. If all of them are faithfully following God's plan for their lives, He is equally pleased with each one.

It's a little shocking, isn't it? Success in God's eyes is about submission, not achievement (Matt. 23:12). This is tremendously encouraging and freeing to me. I don't have to decide for myself how I can best serve God, make an impact on my world, or rise to the top of my field. Nor do I have to try to evaluate how I'm measuring up to an impossible standard. My job is to ask Him for direction, day by day, and then walk in obedience. If I'm following God––not perfectly, but faithfully––I'm pleasing to Him.

You may be an award-winning business executive, a sought-after speaker, or a professional athlete. Or, like me, you may simply be filling a role that is needed but not glamorous. What a relief to know that God doesn't compare us to our neighbor! Our Father isn't judging our service by the external results of our obedience, but by our faithfulness in heeding His call, moment by moment.

Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Jesus Christ whom you serve." No matter what your job is, expect God, not people, to reward your persistence and integrity. You may never make the history books, but you will go down in God's record as one who was successful.

-- Suzanne Lesser

Rejoice in God’s Message of Love for you today:

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of your inheritance”. – (Colossians 3:23)

PRAISE GOD
BLESSED BE THE ONE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD