The Wrong Success

My brother and I have always been incredibly close, despite the more than a few years that separate the days of our birth. But after ending our phone call last night, that lasted over two hours (which I'm trying to recall the last time we were on the phone that long), I couldn't help but wonder the odds.

What are the odds, that on same day, I would hear a radio broadcast of a sermon and a phone conversation on the topic of measuring success was discussed, as it relates to our faith in God and the Christian life; and specifically, that the only outward measurement that matters is discipleship.

I mention outward measurement, though, because on a personal level, my wise brother submitted this thought for my consideration, which I now pass on to you.

"Success is based on one's submission to the Holy Spirit."

How often and all too easily, do we get caught up in numbers. Personally, our emotions rise and fall based on numbers. Jobs held, dollars in savings, relationships or marriages gone bad, screw-ups  of both the royally and the stupid nature. Likewise in ministry, attendance quantity and size of staff, bank accounts and event turn-outs.

We have all these different parameters, and yet for the immediate and finite period of time in our lives, while they may be important and a worthwhile, ultimately they are worthless. For the good that comes from knowing them and learning from them, they can create stress and wreak havoc in both life and soul as they move us away from what really matters.

What is God working in my life and what He is wanting to accomplish through it? If our perspective is off and our focus in wrong, then let the spiritual battle ensue.

On this #deaconThursday, pray for church leadership, as well as the individual within the body of Christ; whose perspective and focus has perhaps be distracted and redirected to the temporal and carnal definitions and measurements of success. May their be a realignment to see with God's eyes and understandings, of our purpose and calling. Pray for faith unwavering and strength to endure; that the struggle would subside as submission to the Holy Spirit is revisited. May we be about what God cares about first and foremost, the lost souls of humanity and in whatever we do, doing so as unto the Lord.

For His glory and by His grace.
For the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC