Reading
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist. When your eyes light upon it, it is gone; for suddenly it takes wings to itself, flying like an eagle towards heaven.
Proverbs 23:4-5
Reflection
My senior year of high school, I was one of four students who were voted “most likely to succeed”. Those of us selected for a “senior superlative” were photographed together for the yearbook. For those with the “best eyes” and “best smile” there was a close-up of their best feature. For those voted “most artistic,” they gathered in the art room and used art supplies as props for their photo. But for the four of us voted “most likely to succeed” we struggled with a theme for our photo.
How does one define “success?”
In the end, we chose to each hold out a handful of money as we smiled for the camera…but that definition of success felt hollow then, and two decades (and a lifetime later) still feels hollow.
As we wrap up our sermon series on James, I appreciate that James reiterates Jesus’ message that success in the Kingdom of God looks very different than in our culture at-large.
We are not to seek an easy, comfortable life but to consider trials “nothing but joy” (James 1:2).
We are not to exalt ourselves or seek the best position, but to humble ourselves (James 4:10) and confess our sins to one another (James 5:16).
We are not to store up riches to rot (James 5:2), but to strive for the Kingdom of God and keep ourselves unstained by the world (James 1:27)
Success in the Kingdom of God is the opposite of what the world tells us we need to do to get ahead. Success is not building up wealth. It is not “image management.” It is not “behavior management.” Or even “doing the right thing.”
Success, in God’s kingdom, is being aligned with His will. Sometimes that means deliberately setting aside my own will and plans, but most importantly it means seeking to become the kind of person whose will is naturally aligned to what God wills for my life.
I am a recovering perfectionist. I was the teacher’s pet, know-it-all, goody two-shoes. I like to be right and I like to be in control. All of these things make me feel safe and secure.
Over the last decade, God has shown me over and over again that I am not in control. Between motherhood, health challenges, and loss of employment, I have learned to accept the fact that I am not in control. In the moment, those challenges were very painful, but through it all, God was by my side bringing me to newfound freedom in Him.
There are still days when I try to “be in control,” but then a nudge (or a push) from the Holy Spirit calls me back to the place where I can remember that I don’t have to be in charge—and that’s a blessing in and of itself.
I may define success a little differently now, but I know that we are ALL “most likely to succeed” when we choose a life with Jesus and remember that we are not in control.
Reflect
- What is keeping me from God’s will for my life?
- What feelings, behaviors, or thoughts return time and time again to separate me from God?
- Where do I need to give up control in order to experience God’s freedom?
Prayer
Dear God,
I confess that I often fall short of your will for my life.
Release me from all that separates me from you—
the thoughts, feelings, and patterns that repeat themselves again and again.
Today, I surrender control of:
_______________,
and I trust your promise:
that you are in control and always working for my good.
Fill me with your Holy Spirit,
so that I may move through this world as an agent of your love—
bringing peace and hope to a hurting world.
In your powerful name I pray,
Amen.
