Most of us long for success in life. Unfortunately, success is not easily attained. What is success to one person might be considered failure to another. According to Webster, for one to succeed, he has to “attain a desired end….” If such be the case, it is important that the goal for which we strive be a worthy goal—one which will stand the test of time. Too often, people strive after goals which leave them feeling empty and unsatisfied when they are accomplished. There are, however, goals worthy of self-sacrifice and earnest endeavor. These are the goals we must pursue with fervor and devotion.
Do not be deceived into thinking that worthy goals automatically inspire and motivate us. Reggie Leach observed that “Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.” While motivation is half the battle, the pursuit of worthy goals must be engaged with caution as well as courage. When Joshua was about to lead the people of Israel into the land of Canaan. God admonished him, saying, “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go” (Josh. 1:7). Spiritual success will be ours when we are careful and courageous enough to set about doing all that the Lord has commanded.
Work is another indispensable part of achieving success. Someone has said, “No rule of success will work if you don’t.” Another old adage tells that the only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. The faith-walk of a Christian will be sabotaged if our faith does not produce works (Jas. 2:20-26). Faith must work through love if it is to be pleasing to God (Gal. 5:6). Spiritual success does not come our way merely because we desire it—it comes when we desire it enough to faithfully work with God to bring it about. The apostle Paul said that we were created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of good works (Eph. 2:10). When we understand the meaning of true success, we will courageously move forward and carefully seek to do all that is pleasing in the sight of God.
–Glen Elliott–