HOW CAN I BE SUCCESSFUL?
BIBLE PASSAGE:
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but
only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
(1 Corinthians 9:24)
MEDITATION:
Have you ever gone through a time in your life where you felt that
all your efforts seemed to be in vain? No matter what you tried to
do or say, none of your efforts were effective. You may be going
through a time like that right now.
You may see someone going astray and because of your love for
them, you try everything you can think of to encourage them to
turn their life around. However, nothing you try seems to make
any difference in their actions and life choices. In fact, your efforts
may be alienating them from you (because they don’t like what you
are saying).
You may be struggling at work and are working extra hours to show
your manager that you are conscientious, and willing to do whatever
it takes to get the job done…but your efforts go unnoticed, and/or
they are unappreciated.
You may be trying to reestablish a friendship that is crumbling
as a result of some disagreement, but no matter how much you
try, your friend (or even a family member) is just not willing to
renew their friendship with you.
I’m sure many other instances could be listed, but the point is,
we can feel that we are trying to do the right things, but we keep
getting either the wrong results, or none at all.
Apparently Paul experienced some of the same things we do and
he compared his efforts to running a race. Paul knew that to win
a race, dedicated training was required (it’s not going to happen if
we are not willing to do anything).
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict
training. They do it to get a crown that will not last,
but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
(1 Corinthians 9:25)
Paul discovered the route to success. He knew the importance of staying
focused on the Lord. If he could at least do that, then regardless of any
earthly results of his efforts, his goal of ‘receive a lasting crown’ from the
Lord would be successful (and that was good enough for him).
Paul wanted to do the right thing, but even if his efforts were ineffective,
he would find success in achieving his goal of receiving the ‘crown of life’.
Of course, Paul was concerned about how others would be impacted by the
things he said and did, but he had a greater concern about how the Lord
felt about his efforts. He wanted the Lord to know that everything he did
was sincere, and from the desires of his heart.
Paul’s goal was to please the Lord, and as result, he did not feel that the
success or failure of his efforts was based on how others responded to his
efforts. He had a well-defined goal that was his target for measuring his
success. Paul was not floundering around with any wasted efforts.
Therefore I do not run like someone running
aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating
the air.
(1 Corinthians 9:26)
Paul did not want to miss out on his ultimate goal of receiving
‘a crown that will last forever’,
so he pounded himself into submission to the Lord. In other words,
he conditioned himself for success. He made the necessary changes
and sacrifices to qualify for the prize.
No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave
so that after I have preached to others, I myself will
not be disqualified for the prize.
(1 Corinthians 9:27)
At the end of the race of life, Paul wanted to experience the Lord raising
his hand in victory and saying, “Well done My good and faithful servant!”
Shouldn’t that be our goal as well? Things ‘in this life’ are important,
but they cannot compare with the importance of preparing to face the
Lord at the end of our earthly life.
Paul was no different than the rest of us; he wanted to see positive results
from his efforts here on earth. But he was also wise enough to know that
he had no control of how others would respond to any of his efforts. He
could only control himself, and he chose to do that through submission
to the Lord, and serving Him in the way the Lord had chosen for him.
Paul’s goal was to please the Lord first, and hopefully to succeed in his
efforts with others as well.
We can see that Paul’s formula for success was: to be a servant to God,
and have the faith that the Lord would enhance his efforts with others.
He realized his mission was to ‘sow the seeds’ of the ‘good news’ with
others, and trust that the Lord would ‘water the seeds’ he had planted.
This meant that there were times when Paul would not see the results
of his efforts. He may have planted the seeds in one area and moved
to another city or region before the Lord added water to what he had
planted. But Paul was okay with that! He knew he was pleasing the
Lord and using the ‘spiritual gift’ the Lord had given him.
ACTION:
What is your mission? Are you bogged down with disappointment
in how others respond to your efforts? Are you ‘running aimlessly’
or ‘boxing the air’ in your efforts to seek earthly results? Are you
using the ‘spiritual gifts’ you have been given? Do you even know
the spiritual gifts you have been given? What goals have you set
for pleasing the Lord?
First and foremost, the Lord wants us to show others that our faith
in Him is real. Our faith is much more than something to be talked
about, it should be a living faith that is evident for all to see. When
others see our faith is sincere, we are witnesses for the Lord and how
His saving grace can change lives and give people a purpose for living.
Sometimes we can become a little ‘preachy’ to others, but what good
is it if they can’t see any evidence in our lives that God is real to us?
Through the years I have heard others say that ‘someone else’ needs
to be in church, but they are not going themselves.
Satan loves it when he can convince us to take a “Do as I say”
approach, and ignore the value of a “Do as I do” life example.
Paul tells us our number one goal is to please the Lord, to love the
Lord, and to show the Lord our faith in Him is sincere. How can we
do that? By proving our love for Him through obedience to His
commands (which includes using our spiritual gift to serve Him).
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I don’t want to go through life aimlessly
seeking worldly success. Help me to be more like Paul with
a desire to please You as my number one goal. Teach me to
‘beat myself into submission’ so I can become Your slave.
I realize this means I need to make significant changes in
my life and my priorities in order to receive the ‘crown of
life’ . Help me to show my faith to others by the way I live,
rather than the things I say. Guide me as I use my spiritual
gift to point others to You. Prevent me from being discouraged
by negative results of my efforts, and teach me to be
encouraged by knowing that I am achieving success
when I am pleasing You.”
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