Finding Success in Being Content.

May 3, 2023

Let’s look at a few motivational sayings.

“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” —Walt Disney

“Good things come to people who wait, but better things come to those who go out and get them.” —Anonymous

“Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.” —Chris Grosser

“The whole secret of a successful life is to find out what is one’s destiny to do, and then do it.” —Henry Ford[1]

I don’t see anything inherently bad about those quotes. Other than some of them seem to focus on our role in making things happen, when in fact, God is in control and He decides what is going to happen in our lives. Still, I think it is good to push ourselves to be better, reach our dreams, find good things, create opportunities, and live a successful life.

Unless we look at the lack of success in meeting some of these goals in a harmful way. We may decide that if we don’t reach a certain goal then we’ve lost whatever identity we saw in that goal. For instance, if we decide that earning a certain amount of money is our goal in life and it doesn’t happen, then what do we do? Do we go to our grave feeling unsuccessful? Are we losers in the game of life?

Or, what if it is our dream to win a certain prize and for some reason it eludes us? Are we no longer a worthwhile person? Should we just give up and never strive for another goal?

The Apostle Paul experienced many struggles, difficulties, and outright devastating situations in his life. We know he was flogged, beaten with rods, shipwrecked, robbed, and jailed. He spent part of his life weary, cold, hungry, and thirsty.

While imprisoned in Rome, Paul wrote a letter of encouragement to the Christians in the colony of Philippi. He couldn’t visit them to encourage them face-to-face, so he wrote the letter. In it, he wrote these words,

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13, NASB)

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I’m pretty sure as Paul grew from a teenager to a young man, he didn’t dream of being imprisoned. That wasn’t an opportunity he sought to create. He probably didn’t finish his religious training and say to himself, “My destiny is to be beaten and live in jail.”

What he did know was no matter what God had in store for him, he could be content in it through God’s strength.

My devotion this morning reminded me that I am to give my life to God first and then be available for whatever He has for me.

“As Romans 12:1–2 says, you must give all of yourself to God and none of yourself to the world system that wants independence from God. God says if we conform to this world, He will not reveal His calling for our lives. We must say, as Moses said to God at the burning bush, ‘Here I am’ (Exodus 3:4). In other words, ‘What do You want of me, Lord? I am ready to obey.’”[2]

The Scripture for the devotion came from the book of Mark.

“And He summoned the crowd together with His disciples, and said to them, ‘If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.’” (Mark 8:34)

My encouragement for you today is that you first give your whole life to the Lord. Submit to His will for you, look for where He is working and join Him where the Holy Spirit leads. You may not find yourself living your life-long dream, but God promises He will give you the strength to live where He leads.

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[1] https://www.lollydaskal.com/leadership/100-motivational-quotes-will-inspire-succeed/

[2] Evans, Tony. The Life Under God (p. 226). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.