Today is the day we make it to third base! We have talked about first base (i.e., character) and second base (i.e., community or relationships). Now, we turn to the base representing competency, or how we see success.
How do you measure success in your life? Perhaps it is by how long you have been married or held a certain job, or by how well your children behave, or by how much you have financially. But consider this –have you measured success by how deep your life reflects Jesus?
Certainly, God wants us to have a successful life. Jesus stated:
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10
Jesus’ expectation, however, is that our success in life will be poured out on others!
Give as freely as you have received! Matthew 10:8
I, like a lot folks, relied heavily on my own man-made success, which was my nursing career. By the world’s standards, I was pretty successful. But when my career took over my life, things got messy. God would ultimately use the experiences I went through to shift my focus. He would build both character in me and community around me so that when new opportunities came, I would be prepared to walk in His will and not in my own.
What most fail to understand is life lived for God is a win-win. Not only will we live a life on earth that protects us from utter destruction and blesses us beyond our beliefs, but we will also be rewarded in heaven. Whatever we are willingly to let go of God will multiply.
“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.” Luke 18:29-30
Once I allowed God to train me through personal Bible study, small-group participation, church sermons, and Christian fellowship, I was ready. Once I learned that God can be trusted, my life rose to a level of success that the world can never offer.
Let me wrap up this week with an excerpt from Love Echoed Back that embodies this thought (click on image to enlarge):
Are you ready to head to home plate? Next week, we will complete the last leg in our trip around the bases, finishing our home run. See you then!!
Blessings!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.