In counseling others, there are often three types of people who struggle with “success”. Interestingly enough, the writer of Ecclesiastes made this same judgement in his time.

First, the individual who looks for success out of vanity, to impress others. These are the approval idolaters. For them, perhaps we could look into Ecclesiastes 4:4, “I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. This too is vanity and striving after wind.”

Then there is the individual who is too afraid to fail, they do not even try. They want their comfort more than any risk of failure. Ecclesiastes 4:5 reads “Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves.”

Next there is the individual is so focused on success that they become obsessed. It consumes their mental and physical energy. They are the workaholics. To them we may counsel the wisdom in Ecclesiastes 4:6, “One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.”

Of course, this isn’t all-inclusive, and this post isn’t about Ecclesiastes.

But it is about how we, as Christians, measure our success.

What does it look like to be a successful man or woman today? Can we measure it by our vocation? Our accolades, professional recognition and awards? Is there such a universal standard?

What about a family? What determines if this family is successful? Is there any external markers that could at least indicate we are doing the right things?

This could go on and on. We could discuss how to measure our success as a business, organization or even a ministry. But is there any means?

Galatians 1:24 reads:

“So they glorified God because of me.”

Pause. Let that sink in: the churches of Judea glorified God because they heard Paul was proclaiming the good news.

Remember, these same Churches fled from Paul! He tried to destroy them! He was their enemy! Now? They glorified God because of him.

Let’s make a real low level observation: success is measured by the glory God receives.

Success is not measured by how you make others feel, or by your effort, or the lives you touch, or by happiness, or money, or the obstacles you overcome, or adversity, or by your discipline, or your desire, or your satisfaction.

This is how God’s upside down kingdom works. He takes the weak, to shame the strong. Paul wasn’t the best. God is. Paul wasn’t concerned with making himself known. He was concerned with making Jesus known.

Do you want to know if you’re a successful individual? Look around you, listen to those who speak about you. Do they glorify you, or do they glorify God because of the work He is doing through you?

Perhaps you identify with the first group who vainly pursues self-glorification. Perhaps your heart is tempted to measure yourself against your neighbor, friend, co-worker or another. What have you gained? Or maybe you are the second group who for whatever reason, fear or laziness, has decided to act foolishly and do nothing. Are you wasting the talents, gifts and body that God has given you to glorify Him? What about those of you who work so hard, yet never seem to achieve the unreachable. Will you be satisfied?

There is this wonderful teaching passage from our Lord recorded in Mathew’s Gospel, chapter 5, verses 13-16.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people!  You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden.  People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

Does salt choose to be salt? Or was it made to be salt? Likewise, does light choose to shine?

We must choose to let our light shine, not for our glory, but for Gods. We must reorient our definitions of success, and align ourselves with God’s purpose in and through us. This is how we live a God-glorifying life. This can be difficult, and at times we can lose our way. Good&Well is here to help.

Peace be with you.