FINDING TRUE SUCCESS

Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful.

Proverbs 16:3 ERV

Before there was Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg or Steve Jobs there were people like Joseph, Job, Daniel, David and Solomon that were successful in ALL aspects of their lives, well maybe not King Solomon and David they messed up when it came to women. But there are some areas of similarity in our modern success stories and our biblical success stories that we can correspond and transfer into our lives.

To every one of us, success will look different. Success means to accomplish an aim or purpose, it is the opposite of failure. It means to achieve desired dreams, goals or aspirations. To some success can be gaining fame, wealth or prosperity. The bible says once we follow the rules we will prosper in all we do and where we go. Before we go a bit more in-depth about success let's clarify how we at times do not take our walk with God as seriously as we should but the characteristics, criteria, and some of the fundamental attributes to success are the same as perhaps a secular job. You are doing work for the Lord! He said He will make sure you prosper. Like the CEO saying he will give you a raise. You are going above and beyond on your secular job; going to work early, staying late, finishing reports on time and before time, you are climbing up the ladder but there are some characteristics you will need to succeed. The CEO requests a meeting with you for a performance report let's see how this meeting will proceed.

I see that you have been working with this company for many years the financial reports show that you are a stellar marketer and have brought in some of our major performers, you started in a department that was low in sales and at one point we wanted to relinquish that area because it brought in little revenue but now it brings in the highest sales revenue. Clients are raving about your customer service etiquette in that department and feel as if. We are looking to expand internationally and would like to offer you a supervisory position over the entire international department. That position will allow you a lot more travel, pay increase and advancement in other areas if you are interested. The role will include training and teaching. Do you think this something you are interested in? Do you have any questions or suggestions on restructuring your department? Ok, great we have created a book with the rules, guidelines and job descriptions for the different departments; we believe that this will benefit you as you proceed.

In other words, I have a bible to teach and instruct you on what you can do in everyday living so you can succeed. You fulfill the actual purpose and plan that was created for you from the manuscript. The CEO being God and Him telling us to go into all the world sharing the gospel, I hope you see where I went with that. Using the gifts he has given to all of us even if we have never surrendered to Him. God is the boss and He is negotiating your pay and job description. In the story of Moses we could see by Moses' many outcries that he was not a confident speaker, he was not ordinarily bold nor was he patient in some areas but he was workable. Many jobs may not require you to have a degree or certifications but they are willing to teach and train if you are willing to learn. Which in other words they are requiring you to be humble or submissive. That sounds like a job I would want but before getting the job there were some criterias that need to be considered. When hiring, a manager or boss usually looks at a resume, a performance report or something that gives them information on your educational background, skills, capabilities and track record. In addition, they would like to find out from 2-3 other people what kind of person you are, what people would say about you if you have anyone that would back up what your resume says. Sounds pretty standard to me right? This position required you to be disciplined, patient, diligent, hard-working, confident, humble, trustworthy, assertive, willing to learn, to turn in daily reports, tardiness, team player, compassionate, passionate, and a strong communicator.

Steve Jobs said, "I'm convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance."

James 1:4 NIV Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

ERV If you let that patience work in you, the result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all God wants you to be. What Steve Jobs was saying is that it takes patience, diligence, effort and hard work to be successful; did you notice the bible said the same thing? God wants us to be successful in all that we do but as the CEO of a secular business, God is saying there are some criteria that we need to have.

In Daniel 1 the king was looking to hire young men to be a part of the king's service but there were some criterias. They were looking for men without physical defects, handsome, genius, knowledgable (in all areas), quick to understand, and he would also teach. Daniel as we read was a man of God and surpassed these qualifications even being promoted. Daniel came into that establishment with morals and a solid Christian foundation. When he got tested, when the haters not only tried to get him fired. Daniel was faced with persecution he did not insult the haters, nor did he fight, or even attempt to show his intelligence but because he allowed God's glory to be displayed he became successful and was promoted.

In addition, when Joseph started his career after being released from prison he became successful as a personal assistant, operations manager, head of room and board to the Presidents mansion. He prospered, he was blessed and had favour because the Lord was with him but in addition to that Joseph was trustworthy, diligent, he was skilled in administration, he was a leader, disciplined, humble, and was also described as handsome.

Moreover, when I recommitted my life to Christ I knew I did not want to fail, I often remind myself that each of us in Christ has a job whether it is to be the sales rep, marketing agent, customer service rep, to teach, counsel, advise, lead, house, groom whatever it may be I am going to take it as seriously as I do a secular job.

Similarly, when I worked a secular job I remember being reported to management once in my 12 years at that establishment, well once that was brought to my attention. That one time was at the beginning of my journey at that job. A co-worker and I had a disagreement I was firm on my beliefs and the other person used intimidation tactics and we ended up in front of the HR manager. This was such a big deal at that point I had never been in trouble and I never imagined it would have gotten that far. My point is we make mistakes we are offered leniency for our wrongdoings. Every mistake is not grounds for dismissal. Our sins are forgiven when we bring our case before the greatest CEO. Some things stood out to me in my conversation with the HR manager who as far as I was concerned we met me all but twice the day of my interview and the day I received my uniform. She said I noticed that you are very mannerly, you are a leader and you are confident. We have never had any complaints about you other than this and hope you continue to perform just as well or even better after this. She noticed I had these characteristics probably by asking for a report from my department head, as she did her daily walkabouts she took notice or asked other staff that I corresponded with often. God sees what we are doing even when we are not doing it for the 'church'. God is taking note of how you are robbing your boss of their time by going late, leaving early, taking long lunch breaks. God notices you if you are diligent and if you are finishing reports on time?

In conclusion, in 2016 I began attending a church in South Edmonton and i was able to learn and understand the word of God. In addition every month their were different themes and with each theme were books that we should read to gain further understanding on the particular theme. At that point I wanted to back out, I had no interest in reading. I did not take it seriously because at that point I was not an avid reader, I was not disciplined in reading and I believed I did not have the time to read. Later on I read an article that said to achieve anything in life, have an amazing life or attain goals you have to read more. There is one similar habit that successful people have; they read. They are humble enough to say I am willing to learn more. Warren Buffett stated in an interview that he reads for up to 8 hours a day. Bill Gates shared that he reads at least 50 books a year and takes time off to read.

If modern-day successful entrepreneurs can read for the amount of time the average person is on a work shift I told myself I can do it, well I certainly will try.

Joseph, Daniel, and Jobs's success stories are all different. The Job was well established in his businesses and it brought him success in the east. He was the greatest of all the people of the East. But he suffered loss, everything he had was lost during the great pandemic, he had even gotten sick and his friends and his wife thought that would be the end of him. They mourned with him for many days, his wife advised him to curse God and die. But he remained faithful to God even during that storm, he was loyal to the word despite what everything looked like in front of him, when people were taunting him about his walk with God he remained confident. At the end of that season of drought, he was even more successful than he was before.

Why is it that we do not trust that God will give us success, that he will allow us to prosper? Why do we have more confidence in the world than we do in God? God said He will never leave us or forsake us, He said if we commit our plans to Him He will ensure our success. The CEO over all the world giving us a business plan for success for our lives. If we look at His track record and reports we can see that throughout history He has many success stories. Many others like me are willing to give reference to what He has done in my life, in the life of my family and others around me.

I would like to leave you with a reminder to check the business's track record, look at what references say about the people you work for and do business with, then remind yourself of God's history. There is no man on earth greater than God, His track surpasses any CEO you can think of!

#buildingtruesuccess #biblicalsuccess #godlysuccess #becomingsuccessful