How do you define success?
I listened to a man speaking about life purpose while driving to Colorado Springs the other day. He began talking about success within our lives. His statement challenged my idea of success.
He said, “Success is faithfulness.”
The Lord reminded me of the heroes of the faith from Hebrews chapter 11. Why would we call them heroes unless we consider them successful?
Reading through the chapter was amazing because what they actually did was ordinary!
Able brought the right sacrifice.
Noah built a boat.
Abraham moved his family.
Joseph gave orders.
Moses led a nation.
Rahab opened her door and kept a secret.
Ruth stayed with her mother-in-law.
David humbled himself.
Success did not mean their every whim had come true with comfort and good connections:
Able was murdered.
Noah was ridiculed, having a job for 100 years that no one understood.
Abraham lived as a foreigner, almost had to kill his own son, had his wife
taken from him twice, and settled on land that was less desirable.
Joseph was sold into slavery. Lived in prison. When he was removed from
prison, he was still regarded as an undesirable even though he was
second in command under Pharaoh.
Moses grew up as a Hebrew in Egypt, ill treated in Pharaoh’s household.
Rahab was always known as a harlot, even after she married.
Ruth became a widow at an early age and learned to work in fields for
sustenance while living in a foreign country.
David was the forgotten youngest in a large family of boys and lived on the run for much of his adult life.
It was for whom and how they lived that made them a success!
As I lay my head on the pillow tonight, I want to know my day was successful.
May we live faithfully for our God.
Love always,
Angie
