Success

I was listening to Jesse Duplantis this morning when he made a great comment about success:

“Success is not how much money you got. Success is getting to your destiny or completing your destiny and reaching your destination. In other words, why you where called…why you were put on this earth…that at your death…you have accomplished all that God has called your hand to do.”

Wow!

How true – and counter cultural – is that?!

Most of us, me included, tend to think of “success” in terms of job promotions, comfortable bank accounts and the like.

Yet, I think Jesse is on to something. Success is doing the work God has called you to do – whether that be fixing cars to the glory of God, herding cows, working on a computer or any occupation that God has placed you in. What one does for a ‘living’ – aka what one does to put food on the table does not matter as long as you are following the life of Jesus WHILE you work, play, etc.

Jesus said, If you love me, keep my commands” (Jn 14:15) – meaning that it is not enough to simply believe in Jesus, you HAVE to walk it out.

But don’t worry – don’t give up, for the Lord goes on to say:

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (Jn 14:16-27)