The stress for success is something present in our everyday life: working towards performance goals, getting the best deals, even achieving a new high score on your favorite video game, we continually strive for something more than what we are.

There’s always a mountain to climb, just make sure it’s the right one BEFORE you get to the top.

That’s OK to a point but when that becomes the end goal, we lose sight of WHY we’re trying to be better. What hole are we trying to fill by achieving that ‘something’ be it a title, a number, or a thing?

God’s definition of success, like many things in the kingdom, are very different than the
way man equates them. To Him, success is not about results but obedience – in other words, did we do what He said for us to do? I’m sure in the time it took to read that last sentence, your inner voice was shouting “But what about the results? Surely God expects blessing, results, etc?!”

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. – Psalms 42:5

We see a similar lack of apparent concern from Jesus when one disciple questioned Him about another’s life and purpose:

Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” – John 21:21-22 NIV

God is secure in who He is and His expectations – are we?