| |
| |
|
Spirituality Information |
|
|
|
No Star-Studded Career
What is success? It probably means different things to different people. One person said, "Success is the ability to fulfill your desires with effortless ease." Another person said, "Success is an outcome and a state of mind and being and a matter of choice." And still another concluded, "Success is your belief that you will achieve anything you desire." There seem to be a consensus that accepts the definition of success as, "The achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted." It is important for Christians to understand that success as understood in the usual secular sense of the word is not promised in the kingdom of God. God never promised anybody a star-studded career. He never promised achievement in the worldly understanding of the word. In fact, God promises the exact opposite. What God reveals in His word is for every Christian to expect opposition, disappointments, hard obstacles, setbacks and even satanic assault. Even God's own Son was not exempt from the flames and arrows of hardships for He was "wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities." Scripture makes it clear that God's concept of success has to do with suffering for the sake of the kingdom; faithfulness in the fight against the powers of corruption, enduring the race to the end. Success in the spiritual sense includes a cross in the equation. Paul called it rejoicing in tribulations. He said, "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. If you want to check my credentials; if you want to verify my certification do not look at the degrees hanging on my wall - but look at my scars; look at my bruises, look at the wounds on my body for Christ's sake." You see success is radically different in the kingdom of God because as His employees we are not responsible for the outcome of our labor. We are not in management; we are in a kind of sales position. We are required to make contact and presentation. That is the end of it. We are not responsible for the results of our presention. We are essentially sowers. We are called to plant seeds, tell the story and then leave the rest to God. Paul said, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." What this means is that we are not graded according to what the world calls accomplishment. Success is not predicated on receptivity; on how well something is received or how well we are able to produce. The question may rightly be asked, by what criteria do our Lord evaluate our performance? If it has nothing to do with accomplishment, then what is God's mode of measurement? Well, I believe God's answer would be that we satisfy and please Him only to the extent that we plant the seeds in people's lives by telling the truth about Him and the human predicament and remaining faithful to that function. God did not call us to be successful; He called us to be faithful. Honor the assignment God gave you. Spread the word, keep the faith, carry your cross, tell the story wherever you go. Our Christian goal is not a degree; it is not certification. It is a crown that will replace our cross. Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, is expected to be available soon. You are welcome to visit AMEN Ministries: Your Soul's Service Station for spiritual refreshing, soul edification, browse our newly expanded mini shopping mall or review our recommended books you may want to add to your personal library. Blessings to all!
MORE RESOURCES:
Religious and Spirituality : Secrets to Answered Prayer - What ... - SkyNewswire.com (press release)
Spirituality - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Genetically Predisposed to Faith Have you ever wondered how much faith you really have? If you are like me there have been times in your life when you question how much faith you have: times when you doubt your ability to cope with personal difficulties, and times when the threat of terrorism or natural disasters feels overwhelming. This is the time to strip away your inhibitions and use your imagination to find more faith. Who Has The Greatest Job In The World? I have, in my opinion, the world's perfect job. Just look at the evidence. Time Changes-- Spring Forward Or Fall Back! In the game of billiards there are two things you want to avoid. First, never scratch (put the white ball in the pocket) you forfeit your turn. What are Angels? Angelic Guidance Explained Angels are making their presence felt everywhere. Once I started opening myself up to the draw of the angelic realms little reminders are catching my eye along the way. What Can You Do In One Day For it is written in Bible in chapter 2 Peter 3:8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Bone Box of the Rich and Famous The contrast between the two men could not have been more striking. Caiaphas, the high priest, was among the rich and famous, arguably the most powerful Jew alive in A. Esoteric Sexual Secrets AN ARISTOCRATIC UPBRINGING:There are many people who write about sex slaves on the plantation and it surely did exist but it was also the norm in Europe for many centuries. The Polos were not the first who went off to get the prized Tartar women who fetched a large multiple over ordinary men slaves. Good News from Mars (Part 1) Those of us, who are familiar with Apostle Paul's sermon at Mars Hill, realize that it was delivered while he was on his second missionary journey. It was following his brief visit to Thessalonica where his gospel was well received, particularly among the Greek community. Is There More To This Life? I often ask myself this question. Not in the times of prosperity or when everything is going great. Whatd We Miss? Did we just overlook the amount of love that God has for us?His word, shown in the written form we call the Bible, tells us things that He did to show us that He loves us. Did we realize it or did we overlook it and walk away?In Hebrews 11:1 we are told that our faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 5 Steps to Passing Life Exams An exam is a test that is given at the end of a class to assess what knowledge was obtained by the student during the duration of the class. Depending on whether or not adequate knowledge was gained the student will pass or fail the test. Renee's Mommy is Here I still remember the scene vividly. I was getting out of my car at the baby-sitter's house and a little boy comes running out the door. Developing Your Intuition: Conscious Construction Using Cosmic 2 x 4's What's a cosmic 2 x 4 you ask? It's actually a phrase that's been used in the 'new age/ metaphysical' world for the past 15 years or more. It refers to the lessons we learned the hard way when we didn't listen to our intuition. You Are a Person of Abundance Heaven is a place of abundance and earth is a place of abundance. Every where God is, is a place of abundance, for God is an abundant God. Small Things When my dad was nearing the end of his life he began searching his heart to see if there was anything left undone - some unconfessed sin, a misdeed, anything at all he needed to make right before he faced God. He constantly prayed that the Holy Spirit would bring to his remembrance anything he needed to make right with his fellowman. All One; All Different -- Addressing Spiritual Reductionism "We're one, but we are not the same."-Bono, U2Once I was in a train station waiting for a train with a friend. Masculine Energy versus Feminine Energy I have been reading a lot lately about the concepts of masculine and feminine energy. It all sort of goes along with the yin and yang definitions of masculine and feminine. From Superstition to Clashing Rocks "Our mind is capable of passing beyond the dividing line we have drawn for it. Beyond the pairs of opposites of which the world consists, new insights begin. Pray Off Your Debts - in 10 Days or Less It will all be clear in a minute, but first I have to ask you.. Contentment in Gratitude "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. " 1 Thessalonians 5: 18, NIVWhile I was in the middle of cleaning my kitchen floor this past week -I'm the kind who does this on my hands and knees with a cleaning rag - I was overcome with such immense gratitude for all God is and has done in my life.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |