What do you want to be successful at?

Perhaps it has to do with your career or schooling. Perhaps it has to do with your relationships or a personal goal that only you know about.

If we want to be “successful,” we need to be aware of how we define that term. It’s easy to get sucked in to the definitions which are de facto provided by our society. They usually have to do with being “upwardly mobile,” popular, or rich.

Mark Batterson writes: “We’re so busy climbing the ladder of success that we fail to realize it’s leaning against the wrong wall.”*

But in the eyes of God, success has to do with humble faithfulness. 

Humble faithfulness. 

Take note of the following verses.

-“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4)
-“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12)
-“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you…” (1 Peter 5:6)

Note the relationship between humility and exaltation. The way up is down.

I hope you’re successful at what you do, but only if you’re living in a way which is consistent with the God of grace and truth who seeks integrity in his people (1 Chronicles 29:17).

Humble faithfulness requires honesty on the narrow path. It sometimes requires gentleness, but sometimes it requires bold courage. No matter what you face, it means following Jesus first.

As we are reminded in James 4:10: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

The way up is down.

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Notes and extra content:

—Announcement: If you don’t have a church home and are close to Barrie, Canada, I invite you to our kick-off service and free BBQ this Sunday (September 8)! Comment for details.

–“The Way Up is Down.” Sermon. Click here. September 1, 2024.

–*Mark Batterson, Chase the Lion (New York: Multnomah, 2016), 3.

–Bible quotes are from the ESV.