The Secret of My Success

Everyone strives for success.

As I was thinking about this today, I had to wonder exactly what 'success' means. Webster's defines it as 'favorable or desired outcome' and also 'the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence'.

Mmmh, somehow this seems in direct contrast to what Scripture tells me to pursue -

In Mark 9:35 Jesus gathers His disciples and tells them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."

Proverbs 13:7 says, "There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches."

Isaiah 66:2 "But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word."

James 2:5 "Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?"

Author Henry Nouwen writes, "Success comes from strength, control, and respectability. A successful person has the energy to create something, to keep control over its development, and to make it available in large quantities. Success brings many rewards and often fame." He goes on to say, "Fruits, however, come from weakness and vulnerability. And fruits are unique. A child is the fruit conceived in vulnerability, community is the fruit born through shared brokenness, and intimacy is the fruit that grows through touching one another's wounds...true joy is not successfulness but fruitfulness."

Jeremiah 17:7 says, "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him."

'Success' breeds confidence in ourselves - but those with confidence in God and His strength and abilities and not their own will be "like a tree planted by the water" ( Jer. 17 v. 8) who '"never fails to bear fruit."

Are you looking for successfulness or fruitfulness? Success in the world's eyes - or 'success' in God's eyes - which may look like nothing at all to the world!

I think I would rather be a 'doorkeeper in the house of my God' or as the Message puts it, "I'd rather scrub floors in the house of my God than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin." (Psalm 84:10)

All for Him,

Missy