by Tom Wacaster
It dawned on me this
morning that there are only seven days left in this year. It seems
like just last week we were packing away the Christmas decorations, rummaging
through the bows and ribbons to see what we might salvage for next year's gift
wrapping, and sticking those Manheim Steamroller CD's back in their cases for
the next eleven months. Whew! How time flies. Two
years ago we moved into the house in Talco, not realizing that we would be here
for much longer than our planned six month stay. In 2004 we hoisted the
sails and launched out into the deep waters of the uncertainty of fund raising
and mission work. Occasionally someone asks me, "Have you had
any success in your mission endeavors?" I guess it depends on how
you define success. Think about this with me for a moment.
One of my
"favorite" websites [you know; one of those you "tag" so
you can go back to at the point and click of a button] offers a dose of daily
humor with an animated cartoon for enjoyment. On Friday, December
12th the cartoon pictured a father talking to his son and trying to give
some fatherly advice regarding success and failures in life. The caption
read: "Success isn't as rewarding as it seems. Caesar was the
greatest emperor who ever lived and they named a salad after him." I
suppose if you define success as monetary gain, fine clothing, a secure
high-paying job, and assurance of a wonderful retirement, then we were not very
successful. Utmost consideration should be given to how the Bible
defines success.
First, true success does
not run ahead of spiritual success. The apostle John wrote unto Gaius,
"I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as
they soul prospereth" (3 John 2). If this year's end finds you with
more money in the bank, driving a nicer automobile, dressing better, and
enjoying the finer things of life, but your soul suffering from spiritual
malnutrition, then you are not successful. Our Lord told us that a
"man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he
possesseth" (Luke 12:15). Some of us still need to learn that lesson.
"If you are inclined to be impressed by those who appear to have it made,
take another look at what it has made of them."
Second, true success
comes only with perseverance and determination. Edgar A. Guest wrote his
famous poem, "Keep Going." Here are a few lines from that poem:
When things go wrong, as
they sometimes will,
And the road you're
trudging seems all up hill.
When the funds are low
and the debts are high
And you want to smile,
but you have to sigh.
When care is pressing
you down a bit,
Rest if you must - but
don't you quit!
Life is queer with its
twists and turns,
As everyone of us
sometimes learns.
And many a failure turns
about
When he might have won
had he stuck it out.
Success is failure
turned inside-out,
The silver tint of the clouds
of doubt,
And you never can tell
how close you are,
It may be near when it
seems afar.
So stick to the fight
when you're hardest hit;
Its when things seem
worse that you mustn't quit!
Third, true success is
not measured by comparing ourselves with others. The success of others
has nothing to do with your success or failures. The parable of the
talents teaches us that the Lord expects us to use what He has given us, and
measures the success of our endeavors according to what a man has, not what he
does not have. The first half of the last century witnessed an
astonishing period of growth for the Lord's church. By in large
congregations did not have worldly goods. Quite the contrary, members were
satisfied with the basic necessities of life, and were content to take the
gospel to those who would listen. We were not enamored with the success
of the world, nor did we attempt to "keep up with the Joneses."
But somewhere we begin to compare our "success" with that of the
world about us, and we begin to mimic their goals, practices, and priorities.
We are the worse for it.
2006 is just around the
corner. Come next December, will you be able to say that it has been a
truly successful year? You can if you put God first in your life and obey
His will for you.