1 Kings 16:1-4
Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha: "I lifted you up from the dust and made you leader of my people Israel, but you walked in the ways of Jeroboam and caused my people Israel to sin and to provoke me to anger by their sins. So I am about to consume Baasha and his house, and I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat. Dogs will eat those belonging to Baasha who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country."
The story of Baasha is common of the kings of Israel. They ascended to the throne, but never stayed there to do enough good. Once there, we read about how they forgot about God and sinned. They failed at their life's purpose of being successful.
As we live in this competitive country, we all strive to succeed. Albeit, to be top at school, obtain a scholarship, the best job with the highest possible salary, a pay raise, a big house....the list goes on. We won't be raised as kings to oversee God's country, but we will receive money or resources or lives to command. The strive to succeed will be a part of our life's journey and when we do reach there, we may be tempted to forget who helped us do so. Success often sabotages the memories of the past.
The question, however, is after we receive a measure of success. Do we know the purpose of our life and why we are striving to succeed? Or do we end up like Baasha and forget to live a grounded life.
It's not about achieving our own goals and glory. Success is awarded to us for God's glory sake. Yours and my success is not about what we do. It's all about God and how He graciously made us successful, and that no man may boast of his own efforts.
If we can't handle the responsibilities which comes with success, I pray that we'll always remain humbled and simple. Why does God help us succeed? So we can make him known, or as the song goes, for us to "shout His fame".
M.
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits (Psalms 103:2)
01 August 2009
The source and purpose of success
1 Kings 16:1-4
Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha: "I lifted you up from the dust and made you leader of my people Israel, but you walked in the ways of Jeroboam and caused my people Israel to sin and to provoke me to anger by their sins. So I am about to consume Baasha and his house, and I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat. Dogs will eat those belonging to Baasha who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country."
The story of Baasha is common of the kings of Israel. They ascended to the throne, but never stayed there to do enough good. Once there, we read about how they forgot about God and sinned. They failed at their life's purpose of being successful.
As we live in this competitive country, we all strive to succeed. Albeit, to be top at school, obtain a scholarship, the best job with the highest possible salary, a pay raise, a big house....the list goes on. We won't be raised as kings to oversee God's country, but we will receive money or resources or lives to command. The strive to succeed will be a part of our life's journey and when we do reach there, we may be tempted to forget who helped us do so. Success often sabotages the memories of the past.
The question, however, is after we receive a measure of success. Do we know the purpose of our life and why we are striving to succeed? Or do we end up like Baasha and forget to live a grounded life.
It's not about achieving our own goals and glory. Success is awarded to us for God's glory sake. Yours and my success is not about what we do. It's all about God and how He graciously made us successful, and that no man may boast of his own efforts.
If we can't handle the responsibilities which comes with success, I pray that we'll always remain humbled and simple. Why does God help us succeed? So we can make him known, or as the song goes, for us to "shout His fame".
M.
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits (Psalms 103:2)
Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha: "I lifted you up from the dust and made you leader of my people Israel, but you walked in the ways of Jeroboam and caused my people Israel to sin and to provoke me to anger by their sins. So I am about to consume Baasha and his house, and I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat. Dogs will eat those belonging to Baasha who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country."
The story of Baasha is common of the kings of Israel. They ascended to the throne, but never stayed there to do enough good. Once there, we read about how they forgot about God and sinned. They failed at their life's purpose of being successful.
As we live in this competitive country, we all strive to succeed. Albeit, to be top at school, obtain a scholarship, the best job with the highest possible salary, a pay raise, a big house....the list goes on. We won't be raised as kings to oversee God's country, but we will receive money or resources or lives to command. The strive to succeed will be a part of our life's journey and when we do reach there, we may be tempted to forget who helped us do so. Success often sabotages the memories of the past.
The question, however, is after we receive a measure of success. Do we know the purpose of our life and why we are striving to succeed? Or do we end up like Baasha and forget to live a grounded life.
It's not about achieving our own goals and glory. Success is awarded to us for God's glory sake. Yours and my success is not about what we do. It's all about God and how He graciously made us successful, and that no man may boast of his own efforts.
If we can't handle the responsibilities which comes with success, I pray that we'll always remain humbled and simple. Why does God help us succeed? So we can make him known, or as the song goes, for us to "shout His fame".
M.
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits (Psalms 103:2)
