I think one of the main driving forces I see in people is the desire to succeed. I see it all around me. Advertisements beckon people to see their dreams come true. “Do you want to be a success? Then, come my way.”
We define success in terms of
· successful people
· successful projects
· successful careers
· successful campaigns
But perhaps success can hinder us from the best. Success has an end to it. Success designates an achievement. Success arrives somewhere. And once there, I ask, “Why change?”
The call to follow Jesus is more a call of constant change than of success. Actually in the end, only God the Father will determine what success means anyway. All the rest is a guess. Or wishful thinking.
Jesus has so much more for us that we cannot help but change continuously toward his character. Grow. Develop. Mature. Purify. He calls each one of us into a deep, rich relationship. And any relationship requires constant change. Just ask any married couple.
Because I love my wife, I change. Growing up I never touched the dirty dishes. Now I wash the dishes every day. Will I get a medal for that in heaven? Probably not, but it pays off here and now with my wife.
The only way around this whole thing is to determine that success really means a growing relationship. Success is never achieved or static but developed and dynamic. Then, we can go on being successful in our relationships – especially that with Jesus.
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