This week's topic: A Life Of Success
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I’m sure everyone at some point in their life has been asked this question. And most often, when we were younger our answers were based on what sparked our interest at the time. My childhood answers ranged from wanting to be a famous gymnast to an actress to a unicorn. Don’t ask.
By the time we are 18 years old, many of us attempted to answer that question by determining our college major. And often we found (after four very expensive years) that we still had no idea what we wanted to be.
But I am sure you can agree that the one thing we all have in common is this one desire: each of us has a desire to be successful.
What defines success for each of us may be different, but I would be shocked to hear someone say “I have no desire for success. I am totally fine with not striving in any area of my life.”
Webster defines success as: a favorable or desired outcome.
Although success encompasses different things for each of us, I believe we can all agree with Webster. Success means reaching our desired outcome and often that means having access to what matters the most in our lives.
Recently I was getting my children ready to attend a back-to-school event that my husband hosts annually in our home town. As we were preparing for the event, my oldest daughter Ryann (4 yrs old) began asking me questions about it.
“Mommy, will they let me eat food at my daddy’s event?”
“Mommy, will they let me jump on the jumpy’s at my daddy’s event?”
“Mommy, will they let me get my face painted at my daddy’s event?”
I calmly answered each of the questions by saying, “Yes Ryann. This is your daddy’s event. That means you have full access to all of the fun stuff that is going to be there.”
Okay. Maybe I didn’t respond calmly, but you get the point.
And isn’t this a great lesson for us as adults?
As each of us longs to live a life that is meaningful, impactful, and yes…even successful, we often forget that we have full access to everything we need to be who God created us to be!
We do not have to ask for permission to walk in our destiny.
We do not have to ask for permission to enjoy the blessings of life.
We do not have to ask for permission to live the life God has designed for us.
Maybe you don’t believe me. But I’m sure you’ll believe the Word:
John 10: 10 says that God’s purpose for His children: “…is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”(NLT)
Psalm 24:1 says: “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it….” (NIV)
James 1:17 tells us: “So, my very dear friends, don't get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven.” (The Message)
Psalm 84:11 promises: “No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (NKJV)
Jeremiah 29:11 declares: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (KJV)
Unfortunately, just like Ryann, we often find ourselves asking for permission to truly enjoy the promises that our Daddy has for us. We are asking permission to be who God created us to be.
But starting today, let’s commit together to live a life of success, which means a life that gives us full access to the promises of God.
It is our inheritance as children of the King.
Scripture Of The Day: “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” – John 10:10 (NLT)
Robin May is a much sought-after speaker, relationship coach and mental health therapist. She is the author of Before You Take His Name and founder of http://www.ibelieveinmarriage.com. For more information about Robin, visit http://www.virtuespeaks.com
