What is Success??

Well, while I am in a writing mood, I figured I'd tackle this one. Especially since some of the more difficult questions, like "What is Love?" was already answered so eloquently by the philosopher known as Haddaway...(come on- give a shout out to the 80's).

So what is success?? Well, let's first look at what is isn't. I'm an accounting and finance major, so I can tell you what message I get bombarded with: Power, Position, Prestige, and Paychecks. So many chase their lives in vain after such goals only to find nothing. Look at an example of some who did:

A popular story recounts a meeting that took place at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago in 1923. Attending this meeting were nine of the richest men in the world at that time: (1) Charles Schwab, President of the world's largest independent steel company; (2) Samuel Insull, President of the world's largest utility company; (3) Howard Hopson, President of the largest gas firm; (4) Arthur Cutten, the greatest wheat speculator; (5) Richard Whitney, President of the New York Stock Exchange; (6) Albert Fall, member of the President's Cabinet; (7) Leon Frazier, President of the Bank of International Settlements; (8) Jessie Livermore, the greatest speculator in the Stock Market; and (9) Ivar Kreuger, head of the company with the most widely distributed securities in the world.

Twenty-five years later, (1) Charles Schwab had died in bankruptcy, having lived on borrowed money for five years before his death. (2) Samuel Insull had died virtually penniless after spending some time as a fugitive from justice. (3) Howard Hopson was insane. (4) Arthur Cutten died overseas, broke. (5) Richard Whitney had spent time in Sing-Sing. (6) Albert Fall was released from prison so he could die at home. (7) Leon Fraizer, (8) Jessie Livermore, and (9) Ivar Kreuger each died by suicide. Measured by wealth and power these men achieved success, at least temporarily. Making a lot of money may be an acceptable goal, but money most assuredly does not guarantee a truly successful life. Check out the article that wrote these facts if you want to learn more here.

So what is success? Is it being happy or the new phrase of the 21th century, being "self actualized?" Is it volunteering at a soup kitchen, providing for your family, coaching a kids soccer league.... But no.

Success has nothing to do with anything you can do. Success has everything to do with God. Because you could lose everything and be a bum on a street corner. And if you know the Lord, you're a lot more successful than Bill Gates. Know the Lord. Really know Him. Don't know about Him. Know Him. And you never know someone if you don't spend time with Him. Someone once humbled me about my Bible reading by asking, "Jesus gave His life for you. Can't you give Him 15 minutes a day??" Read His word; it's the truth. In a world where everyone says everything is a matter of opinion, know the TRUTH. And as the saying goes, "the truth will set you free! Why, because it's the Gospel- it's Good News. Spend time with Him. Pray with Him. Pray continuously. And listen. Really listen to what He has to say. What would have happened if Abraham had obediently brought Isaac to the altar to sacrifice him, and then in his understanding brokenness, not listened to an angel of the Lord?? Christ came through Isaac.

And just as important, make Him known! Don't hold it inside. Would you cure cancer and not share it? Of course not. The Great Commission: Go unto all the world and what?? Preach the Gospel. Romans 10:14-15: "How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!'" And y'all- This shouldn't be a burden! John 14:15, "If you will love me, you will obey my commandments." Listen to Jeremiah in 20:8, "But if I say, 'I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,' his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot." If we don't want to share His word, we need to test ourselves. We need to test ourselves and see if we are in the faith.

I feel like I'm shouting here, but bear with me a little longer. These are fundamental things that we are called to do. Things that we are so blessed to get to do. How great is it that Our Father loved us so much to send His Son to die for us, all so we could have a relationship and be reconciled to Him. That's good y'all. That's good. Jesus is part of the Trinity, so God died for us. And if you are one of the chosen, God dwells in you with the Holy Spirit. That's incredible. So why don't we live like that? I mean, really, why?

Are you successful? Have you been washed in the blood of the Lamb? Have you realized His grand purpose for you? Because if so, that's what matters- that's successful. Successful is being content in all your circumstances. Paul first wrote that and he had a lot of things happen to him in his life that don't foster living a life of content in the Lord. But he did. Success is knowing the Lord and making Him known. Success is making yourself a slave to Christ only to realize that you find a freedom you had never known in His grace and His love. Success is living a radical faith because God loves us radically and calls us to do so. We are called to be SOLD OUT to Christ. So whether that is in the corporate boardroom, the fields of Africa, or preaching to the penguins in Antartica, go with God. Submit yourself to Him... that is success. Period.

Solomon had it all. He had wisdom the world had never known. A kingdom that was unrivaled in power. Wives (and concubines) galore. He lived a life pursuing pleasure. He had it all, right? You know he realized? All of those things were to him- it was all "chasing after the wind." It was worthless. So what is the conclusion of the wisest man ever: "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
That is success....