Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.
This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)
Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!
Today's word: success
What does the word success mean to you?
Do you think it's wrong to have/want success in this world?
What about having ambition?
Let me know what you think!!
“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
HI Sharon, I need that spirit of power love and self discipline this morning. Thank you for your visit and comments on my blog. Thank you for standing by me in prayer and empathy. God Bless - Nita
ReplyDeleteI just wrote a little novel but deleted it.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how many ways I might try to spin it, Jesus said to store up treasures in Heaven. Too often, the road to "success" is completely parallel to The Way, and the two paths don't ever intersect. That's just plain true.
This fleshly over achiever here would love to figure out a way to self- justify her goals in life, but in truth, my only goal is supposed to be to know and do the will of God. If I succeed in that, I am successful. If I don't, it's all worthless and an eartly treasure.
I'm not saying that in piety because I've claimed victory over that fleshly beast, but as one who has won some battles and gained some ground but fights daily.
Hi Sharon -
ReplyDeleteSuccess is Joshua 1:8
I love what lioneagle said. This is a good word today, Sharon. I would be with Debbie too, I could write a novel and then probably delete it.
ReplyDeleteSuccess is being content with what you have and glorifying God in your life by serving others and loving others and putting God first. That is how God would measure success. And of course the world would scoff at this. I think one can be successful in this world and do well, but their hearts need to be in the right place focused on God and their priorities in the right place to really be successful in the eyes of God, and that is all that really matters.
geesh, this is a good one to think about Sharon!
thanks!!
betty
This is totally off topic, but I wanted to tell you that I LOVE those mall thingies where they burst into Handel's Messiah. I want to be there when they do it sometime.
ReplyDeleteI would SO DEFINITELY sing along.
Like you, that is an all time favorite. I sound just like Luciano Pavarotti when I sing it.
Success - is not having things - a great house - great clothes - success is being able to sleep at night in peace - because you have had a good day - with family and friends - and have felt love and joy.
ReplyDeletesandie
Nita - I will stand by you. You have become a good friend. We are not in this battle alone. Of course, we have our Savior. But we also have each other. I will continue to pray that God brings you power, love, and all the comfort of His wonderful presence!
ReplyDeleteDebbie - You know, the thought occurs to me. That BECAUSE the way of the world is parallel to THE Way, that's why so many people get lost on it. They think they're going in the right direction, but they're on the wrong path. If the OTHER way was crooked and scary, we probably wouldn't be so tempted to follow it. I'm a hopeless over-achiever myself. Interesting phrase there - when I depend on myself, that's about all I can succeed at - hopeless achievement. But, God offers abundant life - and that is the only success I want. To do His will, whatever it is, when He wants me to. There, Pavarotti - I wrote the novel for you!!
Sandra - PERFECT Scripture. I'll give the NLT version here:
"Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do." Joshua 1:8 - AMEN! Leave it to God to define success Himself!!
Betty - What you have said is so good. I'm going to just make a list with your thoughts -
SUCCESS IS:
Being content.
Glorifying God.
Serving others.
Loving others.
Putting God first.
And of course, the world scoffs. It's almost like that's the benchmark to measure our godly "success!"
Sandie - Really liked what you had to say. Especially this - "Success is being able to sleep at night in peace." WOW! And I love the other things you added - family and friends, feeling love and joy. A person without these things is only wealthy...they aren't rich.
Loved your thoughts today, my friends.
Here's a couple of my additional musings:
The Bible is full of advice to not be lazy. So, ambition is probably not a bad thing, as long as it is guided by God (Betty made some really good points in that direction). Also, we are not to love money. Where we place our "treasure" is crucial. Additionally, we are not to seek the approval of men. We live for God alone - His glory - to spread His love and His Good News. And finally, IF one is blessed in this life with material "success" - then I believe God expects that person to be a watchful and generous steward. To whom much is given, much is expected.
GOD BLESS!
Good word choice for this week's Fan the Flame! I think success is something that we should strive for but Christians should view success differently than how the world views it. Becoming more Christ-like and living out our God-given purposes makes us a success.
ReplyDeleteAlisa - I like what you've said. You have mentioned the two things that make every Christian a "success." I think ambition, perhaps "holy" ambition, is a striving toward excellence. It is also crucial to rely on God to provide our needs, and measure ourselves by His yardstick.
ReplyDeleteGOD BLESS!