I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ~ Philippians 4:12-13
The scripture above is from the Apostle Paul. If you don’t know much about Paul, he was the one who got thrown into jail several times, was shipwrecked, repeatedly beaten and eventually martyred. Yes, that Paul.
The Apostle Paul who wrote much of the New Testament. Who was a zealot who persecuted the early Christians and was converted on the road to Damascus by a newly risen Christ. Who wasn’t even accepted by the early Christians when he initially joined them because he was so well known as their persecutor. That Paul.
So when Paul talks about knowing how to get by in all circumstances – whether good or bad – he’s a man that you know he knows what he’s talking about. He went through a lot and counted it all joy in service to the Lord.
He knew how to rejoice whether times were good or bad and he knew where to find his strength – in Christ.
Where do you find your strength?
How do you accomplish what you need to each day?
I ask because – for most of us – our strength comes from things or other people or our accomplishments.
But how do you know when you’ve truly succeeded?
How do you know that your accomplishments matter?
True Success, for me, is defined from the above. In essence: doing what God calls you to do – no matter how hard or difficult – and staying the course. Learning from your experiences and counting it all joy no matter the circumstances. Finding contentment solely in your service to God.
That’s success.
It’s not the view that we currently have of it. It doesn’t involve fancy cars or prestige or being famous.
It simply demands obedience.
And finding that strength to succeed in God.
How successful are you at what you’re doing today?
