SUCCESS. What is it? How do you get it? How do you know when you have achieved it?
These questions have been swirling around in my head and it got me thinking. When you are looking at your life, do you feel successful? How do you define success?
Some people gauge success on the amount of money you have in the bank or the car you drive. To others, it is whether you own your own home or not. There are even people who gauge success by the number of friends you have or the number of people who depend on you. The list can go on and on.
There have been books written on how to be successful. One talks about following the habits of a rich Dad versus a poor Dad. Another outlines seven habits to follow. Both books highlight imitating those we see as successful to achieve success.
They say when we are young, we begin to imitate people we want to be like. Growing up I cannot remember anyone that I wanted to be like, but I certainly remember people I did not want to be like. Being a younger sibling, I had more opportunities to gain experience from actions you would not want to imitate.
Television is when I began to associate imitating behavior with success. It showed me that how someone looks, how they act, what they wear, and what they do, is a measure of success and to get what you want. It was always the popular beautiful people that had the easiest go at things.
Do you remember the Gatorade ad campaign “BE LIKE MIKE”? Drink Gatorade and you can be like Michael Jordan. This advertising campaign had children who dreamed of a profession in sports start drinking Gatorade, wearing Nike Air Jordans, and dressing like Mike to “Be Like Mike.” We know that Michael Jordan trained incredibly hard at his craft to get the level of success he achieved but that did not stop people from jumping on the “just in case” train and rushing out to buy all the things to make them look like Mike.
We look at the people around us who live the life we dream of, and we focus not on what they have done to achieve that life, but we focus on how they wear their hair, what clothes they have, where they live, and what car they drive. We look at the world’s external indicators of success and fail to take the time to notice the internal workings that give them the confidence and dedication to pursue their dreams. We overlook the hard work and sacrifices made. And what happens when you go out and change your hair and clothes and buy a new car or move into a new house, yet you still do not feel like you have achieved success? Your life still does not resemble those you are imitating. Then what?
Consider this. The Bible tells us that man was created in the image of our Lord and Savior. I do not believe this just refers to our physical appearance. We are created in the complete image of our God, mind, body, and soul. When we are in a relationship with Him, it is then that we truly know the meaning of success. It is so important that we understand we are individuals and that our success is based on who we are in Christ, not what we wear, drive, or where we live. Especially not on what other people think of us. The only opinion that matters is that of our heavenly Father.
I hope this does not intimidate or scare you. It is meant to give you comfort. Comfort in the knowing that you no longer must strive to meet the unrealistic expectations of a broken world. Comfort in knowing that you are loved by the one and only God. He is for you, never against you.
Dear Lord, I pray for every person reading this post. I pray that Your peace and comfort will wash over them today. Lord pray for your provision to be abundant and their burdens to be light. Lord, for the ones that have not entered that most precious relationship with you, Father, I pray that they would join me now in this simple prayer. Heavenly Father, I know that I am a sinner and fall short of Your glory. Lord thank you for sending your son to die on the cross for my sins. I pray that you will come into my heart and be the Lord over my life. Amen.
God Bless –
Your friend, Rho.
