True Success

For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

On my vision board, a few years ago, I wrote “success” and then recorded my personal definition of success. “Productively working in the purpose God has predestined for my life.”

The world defines success as, the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect or fame, according to Merriam-Webster.

Being a young adult in my early 30s, single, never been married, with no children, there have been times that I strived to meet the world’s definition of success. Make your money, obtain a lot of nice things, and be well known and respected amongst those of influence in your community. These are all things I focused on one time or another. But, after working towards and achieving a bit of worldly “success”, I still wasn’t content; it was like something was missing, see Mark 4:19.

I found myself getting involved in a lot of different things, but not really doing anything. I compared myself to others and often times complained about what I didn’t have.

It wasn’t until I started seeking God and doing what He desired for me to do, that I started to experience true success and contentment. Matthew 6:33. How did I know it was true success? Because things began to change.

Now that I had experienced true joy from doing what God wanted me to do, there was a level of focus that I had never achieved before. I wasn’t distracted by the things that were going on around me or by what others were doing. No longer did it bother me that I was still single or that I had yet to become a homeowner.

David shares with us in Psalm 16:11, that when we walk with God and do His will, we will experience joy and pleasure now, until eternity.

Does that mean we no longer think about the things that we desire, but still have yet to achieve? No, we will. But they won’t consume us. There is true contentment in walking in our God given purpose.

Are you productively working in the purpose God had predestined for your life? Have you consistently looked for fulfillment in careers, degrees, possessions, etc., only to end up unfulfilled? Have you, like me, struggled with contentment and comparison?

Prayer: God, thank You for Your purpose for my life. Your word says that Your plans will give me a future and a hope. Many times I have sought after what the world suggests is success but I still found myself empty. Forgive me for not setting my eyes on heavenly things as Your word instructs. Allow me to know Your plans and thoughts for me, so that I can experience true success. It is in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!