Success... What Is It?

If I were to throw out the question, "What do you think success is?" I am sure I would get as many different answers as people have different hair colour. Weird analogy, but I think you get my point.

Nevertheless, I think the majority of people do view it as a destination; as a goal to get to; as a "place" you are not at yet, but hope to be someday; or something to that effect. The typical mentality would be something like, "I'm not quite there... Yet." And I suppose, many Christian view "ultimate" success as "getting" to heaven. (Why all the " "? Well, I'm not sure how each person really sees these things. We all have a different view or understanding of what "ultimate" means and even what "getting" to heaven means... But I am not a fan of arguing semantics, though I know that it IS important to get our definitions in order... But I digress)

Can I throw out four areas that most people would define as symbols or markers of success (sure I can... It is my blog :):

1. Wealth
2. Specific & Worthwhile Possessions
3. Power
4. Achievement

Can we agree that for every person, each of these could--and probably does--mean something different, when you consider specifics in a person's life? And, can we also agree that your own definition of success probably has some element of one or more of these?

Well, the Scriptures definitely have a different view of what success is. And that's what I'm looking at. Will you now allow me to throw out a hypothesis? And will you join me as I seek out an answer to what success is?

Now, I read this definition from the book "Your Road Map For Success," by John C. Maxwell, so it's not necessarily my original idea. But, it did spark something in my mind. And since John Maxwell is a Christian and a pastor, I wanted to see if this definition was founded in Scripture. Here is the definition:

Success is...
knowing your purpose in life,
growing to reach your maximum potential, and
sowing seeds that benefit others.

It certainly sounds Christian... Well, it mentions sowing seeds... And serving :) Ultimately, John Maxwell describes success as a journey and not a destination. Hmmm... Sounds interesting. But, again, is it Scriptural?

That's where my search begins. And I'll share with you what I've found so far in my next post.

Disclaimer: By no means do I profess myself to be an expert. I am just one who does not accept things at face value, and nor should you. I don't just absorb things from "pastors" and accept them as truth, without asking questions and seeking God for my own answers. Often, I come to the same conclusions... But, often enough, I have not, and have had to disagree with the "teacher". Ultimately, I stand before God, and God alone, to judge my heart and my actions... So He's the only one I am trying to please. So feel free to comment (I will not engage in a debate or argument though) and glean anything that may be of worth to you. BE BLESSED!