This one seems to mess us up so often. It’s partly because of mission drift and largely because of selfishness.

Life Lesson #4 – “Success is not defined by what people think, it is nothing less than pursuing God’s plan and purpose for my life.” His specific plan for every life we don’t know – but his purpose for every life we do. Jesus lived it and taught it, the Scripture commends it – reaching people for Christ. I believe the purpose of every Christ-follower is to love God (worship and know him) and love others.

Success in my marriage is not things looking great to other people, it is loving my bride the way Jesus loves the church.

Success in parenting is not having a goal to be my kid’s “best friend,” it is making sure I’m following Christ so as they fold me, they’ll be following him – it’s molding and training.

Success for kids is not making sure they go to the “right” school, have a “great” income, marry the “perfect” person, or “achieve” our goals for their lives. It is simple – do they love and follow Jesus above all else.

Success in business is not personal gain. This is funny to me. In church life if someone is “successful” in business, we seem to think they must be Godly and he must be blessing them – and so much of the time that’s probably true. Churches that have business meetings, or committees tend to place these individuals in roles of influence – because they are “successful.”

In our self driven culture we look for things to make us feel better and “successful.” We’ll even use scripture to “claim” verses or passages that tell us we’re going to be rich, healthy, and have no problems. I remember a few years ago when the “prayer of Jabez” became many people’s genie. If we just pray that prayer God’s going to make us “successful” – he’ll expand our territory. My question is, “for what purpose?” To own more, have more, and show more, or to reach people for Christ? It’s amazing how many of these people we “admire” talk more about Jabez than Jesus. Many of them have acquired much, but you can’t point to one person they’ve led to Christ.

Jesus did not say, acquire all you can for yourself. Let me be clear, there is nothing wrong with people admiring our marriages, being close friends with our children, our children having the best we can provide, or achieving much in the business world – nothing wrong at all, they are just not the primary definers of success, according to Scripture.

I had the privilege, recently, to meet a man who you and I would call successful, and I believe God would also. He’s a loving father, and grand-father – he has a marriage that’s admired, his children are very blessed – and he’s brilliant when it comes to business. His name is Truett Cathy, the founder of “Chick-fil-A.” Angie and I stayed at his lodge recently and got to meet him and chat. What impresses me most is not what he’s accomplished with “Chick-fil-A,” it’s what he’s accomplished with his life making a difference to reach and impact others. He serves in his church, he invests in young people who are less fortunate, and he tells people about Jesus and how to know him.

Mr. Cathy is not a young man. He’s had a full life. Soon, he’ll move from this life to the next. I’m sure his funeral will be remarkable. His pastor and family will be able to talk about and think through his amazing achievements and success. Real success, because they be able to talk about lives he touched, people he brought to faith in Christ, those he invested in to make a difference.

The benefits of success, as we often define it, will only be experienced for a short time. The benefits of real success will be enjoyed for an eternity. Jesus risked everything, gave everything and sacrificed everything and …DIED just to show his love for us. A vast majority of the disciples who followed him were martyred for their faith. People are persecuted around the world everyday, in certain countries, and often killed for their faith. Were Jesus, the disciples, and Christ-following martyrs successful? I wonder how our culture’s prevailing definition of success would honestly answer.

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