The Secret of Success

TRUTH FOR TODAY

Jun Malazo

If you are like most people, chances are you’ve probably made some sort of a New Year’s resolution in the years gone by.  Perhaps you set a goal to accomplish something new or to finally finish some unfinished projects.  The turn of the new year seems to be the best time for most people to think about putting these goals into motion. 

But if you are just like any normal person, you have probably had a number of unfinished projects and unrealized goals.  Whether it’s a failed diet plan, an unfinished building project, or a poor financial investment; most of us have faced many disappointments in our resolutions.  At first, when we put our plans on paper, they seem doable.  Even when we know of the possible challenges, we are more than willing to face whatever obstacles that will confront us.  However, as we face life’s many unexpected twists and turns it often seems to end up as the common phrase says, “back to the old drawing board.”

Are our lives always destined for failure?  There are many today that have suffered countless failed attempts at accomplishing a goal and have become deeply discouraged by repeated failure.  The thought of taking another try at life seems incredibly futile to them.  Perhaps you have been in this same situation.  In this article I want to offer you a glimpse of hope by offering you a different perspective of success.

First of all, you need to understand that challenges and difficulties are just a normal part of life.  Without them we miss out on learning life’s greatest lessons.  The Apostle Peter reminds us:

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."  (1 Peter 4:12-13, KJV)

Challenges teach us about dependence on God.   Every endeavor in our lives requires the empowerment of God’s Spirit within us.  The Apostle John reminds us in John 15:5, “…For without me ye can do nothing.”  Without God we have set ourselves up for failure. 

We also need to understand that God is sovereign.  This ultimately means that God is in control of everything in our lives—even the challenges.  God has predesigned our lives which means that He knows everything that will happen in the entirety of our lives. God wants to transform our lives and He uses these struggles as part of the process.  This reminds me of an analogy in nature that has been used by many to better illustrate our struggles. 

The process is called metamorphosis which means to be changed from one another.  Someone once said:

“Picture a caterpillar morphing into a butterfly.  It starts out slow and slimy, and takes hours to crawl a few meters.  When it undergoes the process of metamorphosis, however, it becomes a beautiful butterfly.  The butterfly’s wings developed as a result of struggling in the cocoon until it broke free.  Without the struggle and the process, it would’ve become a butterfly.  We might be struggling with something today…But it is our struggles that develop our strength, and our battles that bring our victory.

The struggles and challenges are just a part of the journey to success.  We must look to Jesus as He Himself knows our every struggle.  He exemplified with His own life the journey to success for without the crucifixion there could never have been a resurrection. The Hebrew writer tells us:

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."  (Hebrews 4:15-16, KJV)

So with this in mind, what is the secret of success?  First, we must define what true success is.  The term "success" is very subjective because everyone has a slightly different opinion of what true success is.  Also it is important to point out that God defines success differently than how the world views success.  The world views success as material gain, power and influence, or prestige.  John D. Rockefeller, a billionaire in the 1900’s, was asked a question at the pinnacle of his career:  “How much is enough?”  To which he replied, “One more dollar.”

Evidently, even with all the wealth in the world and all the power and prestige that comes along that life; Mr. Rockefeller proved that having everything all the world’s goods could offer does not necessarily mean true success or bring peaceful contentment.

If true success does not really mean climbing the corporate ladder or gaining power and influence, then what is true success?  Notice what the following verses say:

"Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."  (Joshua 1:7-9, KJV)

The above narrative gives us the Biblical account of Joshua and the nation of Israel as they prepared to face one of their most formidable enemies in Canaan.  They were preparing to go to battle against the city of Jericho.  All odds were against them from a purely human viewpoint.  Joshua and the remainder of the surviving Israelites had just spent 40 years in the wilderness because of the sins of their forefathers.  Because of unbelief, they were forbidden to enter the Promised Land.  Having spent 40 years in the desert wandering from place to place meant that they were not at all prepared militarily against a well-equipped and well-guarded city.

But even against all odds, God promised Joshua success.  According to the above passage, God gives Joshua the secret to success.  To summarize this secret in a few words, is this:    Focus on the Word of God.  The success of will Joshua as a leader depended upon his focus and dependence on the Word of God.

There are a few key phrases found in this passage that are worth noting.  One is the phrase, “…to do according to all the law…”. While we must apply proper biblical principles for interpreting God’s Word, it is important to note that God commands all of His Words to be followed.  We often make a serious mistake by selecting God’s principles that are somewhat easier and more convenient to follow than others.

Another phrase is , “…turn not from it…”.  Once again God commands Joshua to obey His Words explicitly regardless of the situation.  When I think of obedience the name Noah comes to my mind often.  God gave him instructions to build an ark because the earth would be destroyed by flood waters.  For 120 years Noah persevered and built the ark regardless of the ruthless mocking of those around Him.  His obedience led the survival of his family and his family alone.

Lastly the phrase, “…but thou shalt meditate therein day and night…”.  The word meditate means “to study carefully.”  The amount of time we spend in the Word of God will determine our success in life.  Notice the following verses:

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  (Psalms 119:105, KJV)

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."  (Hebrews 4:12, KJV)

In closing, the Word of God is the key element for the success of our lives.  It is God’s will that we live a victorious Christian life.  Life is full challenges, and the only way to rise above these is to depend on God’s Holy Word—The Bible.