So, I have been thinking a lot about this idea lately. I'm 33, and I'm not sure that I have ever defined this for myself. I think this was brought on by two things. At Christmas, someone told me that they thought that I didn't know what I wanted. Second, a couple of weeks ago, I heard a man say that when he was asked to give his definition of success, his response was simply "peace". Also, I've had this strange revelation of late regarding people who are "strange" or any word you could use to describe someone who walks to a different beat so to speak. What I find is that these people have a tendency to be happy. I think that they are at peace with themselves. That is saying more than I can for a lot of people that I know.
WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS? HAVE YOU SUCCEEDED IN REACHING YOUR SUCCESS?
I'm still working this out. I will get back to you with an answer, but I'd like to know what you think. I do know this. I don't buy into all this mumbo jumbo about planning your life to death. I do realize that without a vision the people perish, but I think there is more to it than just planning your life out on paper. I think that takes something away from the other scripture about walking by faith. More often than not, our plans just fail or we spend our time working toward a goal, yet always falling short (though not failing) and always feeling like we just don't cut it (and coming up unhappy in the end).
All of these thoughts have been brought on by a statement that has captured me - "Are you working toward what God has for you to do or are you striving?" Are the things that we are doing really what we are called to work at or is it just a good idea that will leave us striving? Right now I don't have an answer. I just know that I need some change in my life and some answers.
So, you can help me in this process. Answer my questions, dialouge with me, be the body of Christ with me, challenge me (yes, I really did ask for it!). A friend of mine gave up being negative for lent. I think I want to give it up forever. For more details read my previous blog "My Knee is Broken" if you need to get caught up. Ok, well it's off to the routine. For once though, I had to write. There was no excuse good enough to put this off. I look forward to your responses.
5 comments:
Google definitions define success as an event that accomplishes its intended purpose.
Coming from the Latin verb succerdere which is an assimilation of the prefix sub- and the verb cedere. sub- can in most cases be rendered under and cedere which means to go. thus the Latin root for success is to go under, or to take the thought to submit to.
I dont know where to go with that but i thought it might give us a base to begin to look at the historical context in which this idea of success has come along. for certainly the ideas that we have of success have been historically and culturally conditioned.
i would also ask the question, are we capable of defining success individually? Anyways i will ponder some more on it.
The more I think about it, I'm not so sure that I'm looking for a definition, but a certainty that I am being obedient to God and His standards, not those that others are trying to set for me or us. Because I think ultimately you are right, I'm not sure tht there can be a personal definition of success. We are called to live obedient lives, not according to someone's agenda.
so is the question then, how do we know god's will?
i believe that the spirit bears witness to us personally, in community, and through history, but it is an art to weigh and balance these things and to trust that the spirit is working in us for good.
I don't have a definition for success, but I do think we should live our lives in a way that at the end of everyday we can say "today I took advantage of every opportunity given to me". This may be some divine appointment God provides. It may be just telling someone you love them. Maybe it's even laughing at your child when they color themselves in marker. Take every opportunity and cherish it and make it positive. Allow the Holy Spirit to be at work in you in everything you do. I think if I could look back over my life and feel like I did this , I would be satisfied because I believe God would be satisfied as well.
I think that we are pushed by the world to be "successful"-defined as being goal oriented, well off, smart, well liked, "moving up in the world" etc. While in themselves, none of these are bad things, however, the context in which we view them can lead us astray. If all I am striving toward is success, my life will be very empty. Ultimately, for me, success is living a life that God is pleased with. I think it means that we have done something with each day that has a positive eternal consequence. To me, a day is often successful because I smiled at someone who needed a smile. Success to me is being who God has called me to be. I think I've finally gotten to the place in my life where I am very simply myself. I know who I am in Christ. I love myself. I love my family. Most importantly I love God with an abandon that overwhelms me sometimes. My life is simple...there's nothing flasy about it, but I'm happy because I am where God has ordained me to be. As long as I listen to what He says to me and follow where He leads me, there is no way that my life won't be "successful."
My challenge to you is to listen to the voice of God and respond to Him. Serve and Love with reckless abandon. Open yourself up to all that God has for you and don't discount something simply because it doesn't fit your idea of what your life should be. I can't wait to see how God defines "success" for you!
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