Counting The CostSample

REAL SUCCESS:

What is success? Will you ever make enough money, drive a nice enough car, have a big enough house to make you feel successful? Will you always want more? In a world that is always striving for more it is hard to be satisfied with what God has laid before you. We constantly are looking over the fence thinking about what we could have when what we do have is so good. 

The world definition of success often involves fame, fortune, or power—true success means becoming the people God wants us to be and reaching the goals He has set for our lives. Hebrews 12:1 helps us understand this more: “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

Here, we get a good idea of what success looks like. First, it is important for us to look around and see the way others live for Christ every day and be encouraged by how God is using them. To see how people have followed God’s direction and experienced His faithfulness allows us to know that God is for us and that we can do it. When we rely fully on God and put aside stuff that keeps us from Him, then and only then will we find true success. Success doesn’t come in moments, but it grows throughout a lifetime of walking with God each and every day.

Action Point:

True success comes as we seek God’s plan for our life. Many would say that success is being in the center of God’s will. God has big plans for your life and part of His plan is that you live a life that has purpose and meaning. His plan will become clearer as you read His Word, pray for direction, and seek wisdom from others. Today spend some time asking God what it is that He would have you do, then do it.

Question(s):

How would you define success?

Does your definition of success match up with God’s plan for your life?