Success?

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you,

Great answers so far I like Nathele's and Nebula's, no favoritism mind you.

How do we humans often define success? Wouldn't we array ourselves in honor and wrap ourselves in comfort not too mention C-A-S-H? Yet what if success for our lives by Gods standard was reaching the lost in the bush of Africa?

Often times great men of the Faith and of God never did anything that the world would see as successful at all.

Does it have more to do with our perspective?

Peace,

Dave

[traveller]

Unfortunately, the "world" measures success by fame, fortune and power. I personally think that true success is measured not by one's own opinions of himself, but by the opinions of those whose lives he has/has not affected. A homeless shelter's food line server is important to a hungry man - a pastor that comforts his flock is highly esttmed, a mentor to an at risk child is a giant and a solitary lonely figure that reaches out to another is as well.

My thoughts, anyway

[refugepsa91]

Everyday that I don't allow the "world" to steal my joy in Jesus is a success

[Honeybee88]

Josh. 1:8: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

This is what God told to Joshua. I think we are successful when we are walking with God and honoring Him with whatever it is we do.

[odditblue]

Throw out that old yardstick....

Nobody should measure themselves against others.

Doesn't matter.

We should be asking, are we close in our walk with Him?

Are we showing God's love to all those we meet?

Are we living up to His standards?

Success is that place of knowing you're at peace with the maker of the universe, you're doing whatever it is that He wants you to do, and you're showing all those beautiful and wholesome fruits of the spirit in your life increasingly.

Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness (kindness), faith, meekness (humbleness) and self-control.

If these things are flowing out of you... smile and fill your cup with happiness and drink it all in.

[WayneB]

One of my favorite poems is titled's "Success" and is inaccurately attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson. It is from a secular source but I like it regardless. I have a copy of it hanging in my office.

Success

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.

...of coarse the best definition of Success is found in the Beatitudes of Jesus Christ who summed them up by simpy saying, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

[WayneB]

Everyday that I don't allow the "world" to steal my joy in Jesus is a success

Amen!!!!

[7thseal]

Sounds like me. I'm kind-of moseying on through life with no sense of going anywhere or really accomplishing anything. I'm not a wife, not a mother, not in a full-time job, not immersed in a ministry (beyond what I do here), I have no idea what God wants me to do - so how can I do it?

nebula, I very much needed to share this with you. You have no idea how the Holy Spirit has touched me and revealed truth through your post. I've read your post in the praise forum and take this as you will because its not from my own thoughts.

The Lord has huge plans for your life....I mean you are simply going to be in awe at what He has in stored for you...oh its huge, trust Him nebula...its coming, He's already started.