“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
God has plans for our success, far beyond the many infamous quotes about it, and definitions of it, that litter social media. In the above verse from Jeremiah, the word “plans” in the original Hebrew translates to “thought, device, plan, purpose, invention.” All of those words give us a peak much farther into the plans that God has for us in this life. He has thought about us, thinks about us—individually! He has planned, purposed, invented, on our behalf, but for His glory. His plans for us are good, despite the wrong decisions we are apt and free to make, and the process of sanctification throughout our lives.
This world would have us define success in terms of wealth and the accumulation of things, status or promotion, or by what “makes us happy,” but God defines success in our lives by a different set of standards. He blesses us with worldly things, amazing accomplishments and wonderful experiences, all which we are to enjoy! Yet, we are prone to wrongly equate our success by comparison and competition. Envy and ungratefulness steal the joy of our success. The underlying definition of success in our lives, by God’s design, is peace. We are charged to take what He has blessed us with and turn to bless another in His honor, to hone our crafts and diligently pursue the Truth of His Word. All this is rewarded in His own way, standards, and time, here and for eternity, in our relationship with Him, others, and ourselves, regardless of the surrounding circumstances. Let’s pray for success today, His way.
Lord,
Your word teaches each of us that it is acceptable to ask for a successful, blessed life. Expand our borders, Precious Lord, and let us find prosperity and success in this gift of life we have been given.
Let my life be pleasing to You in all ways, and in all things, so that I will be able to receive the fullness of Your blessings both in this life and in the life to come.
Amen.