Success, thinking on it

I also came to see the importance at the present time of thinking

clearly about what success is and about how we can attain the

most satisfying and sustainable forms of it in our lives. I came

to realize that we all need to philosophize about success.

- Tom Morris, PH.D., Public Philosopher, Advisor

Success, thinking on it. I think I don't really get the whole meaning of success. But....I pray that changes. I want to think success is

- a process
- a journey, not a destination (I hate cliches)
- glorifying God (what does that really mean?)
- being happy (?)...that is dependent on so many things (right?)
- well done good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21) - this is my ultimate desire, the final success

You, I, get the point. So what about the THINKING? Thinking on success?

I think God

- has built into me (us) a deep desire for success
- has given me his Work to call and challenge me to obtain success
- wants me to depend upon Him
- has equipped me for success with gifts and talents
- has given me the desire to acquire the knowledge to renew my mind and be transformed
- has given me the Holy Spirit to enable my success

I think I'm struggling with achieving the success God has available for me because I

- have still have a distorted Biblical view of work and success
- have self-limiting beliefs that are negatively impacting my success
- have self-imposed "lids" that keep me from rising up to challenges
- have miss-managed and even wasted bad experiences
- am carrying unnecessary baggage
- should stop waiting for the "right time"

To that end....Lord, thank you for continuing to love me. I believe you've built a desire for your success in me so I'll act. Thank you for being patient with me as I keep trying to do this on my own. I give my success to you, pray I move forward in your power and glory. I give you my thinking about success. In your Son Jesus' name,

Amen



 

Success. Where's its place?

Can success and a Godly life truly be reconciled?

Absolutely - Charles Stanley

What does God say about success? Is it a contradiction to live a Godly life and pursue success? Many people think so. And that's just wrong.

I don't believe it's a coincidence that I've been attracted the past few weeks to books that include matters on this subject. This morning I had the thought "what do I think about being successful?"

A re-work of Lunch 'n Learn materials and brought to mind the roadblock matter of "the fear of success."  I ask attendees in my Guerrilla Marketing workshops why people fear success and had never gotten a good answer, though many acknowledge it's existence and some admit it's impact on their life. You can see the realization in their eyes! But, for a long time I'd never been able to really identify a cause of the problem (I hadn't really considered at the time I encountered the roadblock).

Until one participant answered "It's a Biblical thing. We've been wrongly taught things like 'a rich man can't get into Heaven' and that's subconsciously sabotaging us."

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for
someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. - Mark 10: 25

Wrongly understanding that verse and one can/will subconsciously sabotage their success. And Satan wins.

I'm seriously afraid I have a problem with success, subconsciously. Subconsciously I believe I struggle with some things Biblically about God's will in my life. I don't have a good grip on the problem, but I'm coming to realize how real it is and expect I'll uncover others also.

God made us in His image. He was successful. I want to understand and accept a truthful definition of success. This is where I'll drop anchor, search out, pray, ponder and write about here for a few weeks.

Let me know what you think of success. Let me know what you think of what I find out, my thoughts about success. I know they haven't been near accurate up until now.

To that end....Lord prepare my heart to receive Your word, THE true word about success. Help me practice Your will.

....lead a quiet life

I've been on a journey to "raise my lid" for a long time. This road has led me to places like 

- My work matters to God

- In His Glory, God conceals matters. The glory of kings is to search matters out (Proverbs 25:2)

- Staying in the box. Digging deeper to discover the real me God made in His image 

- God intends me to experience a Sabbath rest. And not just on Sundays

- That God's intended doctrine of work includes a good practice of rest

.....and then this morning, journaling my thoughts as I read "The Accidental Pharisee" I come across this scripture - 

"and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you" (1 Thessalonians 4:11 NIV)

Now that leads me to slow down for a time of pause and reflection specifically about "purpose." There's even some thoughts of validation streaming in!

To that end...

"Leadership develops daily, not in a day" - John Maxwell