My primary thought about personal success has become…
…I don’t have to succeed; I just have to try.
One of the most successful businessmen living today writes his five-point formula for succeeding below:
- Have clear goals
- Identify and don’t tolerate the problems that stand in the way of your achieving those goals
- Accurately diagnose the problems to get at their root causes
- Design plans that will get you around them
- Do what’s necessary to push these designs through to results
I realize the business and accomplishment sense of this advice. And no one (if I would give his name) could debate his success.
But I get tired as I read them. Don’t tolerate problems (does that trend toward abusive?). Accurately diagnose problems (and then something like COVID happens). Do what’s necessary (get out of my way).
Do relationships survive the five points?
Few who have clear goals of gold medals, millions of dollars, or traveling the world, achieve such goals. And with the world inherited by earning billions and the accouterments of wealth and power – doesn’t it all burn on Judgment Day?
Who wants to gain the world and lose their soul?
Below are my “Four Points of Biblical Success.” I’m not that famous, certainly not wealthy, and I struggle daily with joy. You might want to ignore them!
Except they are Biblical. Be careful if you choose a different direction.
- Seek first His Kingdom. Kingdom living is following the King. Learn to listen to his voice (Galatians 5:25). I love the promise of Kingdom seeking found in Matthew 6:33:
Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you.
- Take Steps of Faith. Constantly!
Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
- Be found trustworthy. Spiritual growth matures the fruit of the Spirit while worldly success destroys relationships. Understand who owns everything and be a great steward while finding righteousness.
Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 1 Corinthians 4:2
- Don’t give up. This isn’t works, it is faith. The challenge of end-times living will be weariness from overexposure to trials, media, and spiraling difficulties.
Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Back to my motto: I don’t have to succeed but I must try.
My goal is to seek first His kingdom, by taking steps of faith, remaining trustworthy, not fearful, and being found at my tasks when Jesus returns. The four steps might not make you millions or get you elected President, but what does the success of the world know about peace?
Freedom: I must try but I don’t have to achieve anything. God’s in charge.