At the end of it all how do you measure success? Will you hear Him say "well done"? Do you have a good job or fun toys, a wife, maybe kids or money to spare?
By the worlds standards I have had some success and some failure. Without a college degree I have made as much as $90,000 in a year. I have traveled many places in the US as well as several places in Asia and Mexico. I was married for 6 years and now am divorced and scraping the bottom of the penny jar. I have harvested 7 big game species in 3 states with my bow as well as helping many friends get there first animal and/or first of a species including; whitetail deer, black bear, brown bear, Roosevelt and Rocky Mtn Elk and dall sheep. I was a scratch golfer for nearly 3 years holding or tying 5 course records. I was offered the lead instructor position at the Breckenridge snowboard school. I can still walk after a messed up back and a knee with very little holding it together. I have fulfilled my dream of climbing in Thailand.
All of this and one thing stands out to me more than it all. his name is Sean. I met Sean about 2 years ago and we quickly became good friends. Sean started coming to bible studies at my apartment learning and asking new questions each week. At a Christmas party Sean came to me and told me he had made a decision to follow Jesus Christ and trust Him as his savior. That God would use me in such a way, now that may be my greatest success.
However, I still wonder. What would God say? Would any of these things hold water in His book? or does He simply want my obedience and faith? Would He say it was that night on Cannon Beach when I listened enough to hear His voice and acted upon it immediately? Would it be the times when I have managed to put all else aside and truly worship Him for who He is.
How do you judge success? May the lord our God be glorified in us friends. We are His hands and feet and may just be the only Jesus this world sees.
Great question Jeff. Ron and I had this conversation just a little while ago...talking about success.
ReplyDeleteWe know some who think we are not successful...we have no home (though we call our motor home our home) of sticks & bricks. We have no money in savings, and little in the check book. By all "standards" we are not successful.
But we see ourselves differently. We are in fairly good health, have a great marriage (35 years in December), two healthy sons with spouses and children ~ all healthy. We may not be rich/successful in the business world but we are rich beyond means...we are loved and cared for by Jesus Christ, have family and friends who love us unconditionally and accept us where we are. We are truly blessed.
Have been thinking of you as you seek answers for your questions, think about your future and life. May you constantly feel God's love in your life.