True Success

“I am not called to be successful. I’m called to be faithful.”

These well-known words of Mother Teresa seem strange in our goal-driven society. It’s far easier to jump on the cultural treadmill and conclude that the chief goal of man is to succeed rather than to glorify God and enjoy him forever.

There’s nothing wrong with accomplishment. Who wants to be a failure? The problem lies more in the definition of success than its pursuit. God’s view of it appears to differ sharply from man’s.

When the Lord directed Ezekiel to warn Israel that they would soon be exiled because of their rebellion, he gave him some outlandish instructions. Ezekiel was to pack a bag for the exile, then dig through a wall, carrying his belongings. He was to cover his face to prevent him from seeing his “homeland.”

So how did Ezekiel respond to being a living metaphor? He did as he was commanded. He remained faithful to God’s call.

Neither Mother Theresa nor Ezekiel just arrived at faithfulness. Scripture tells us he who is faithful in little will be faithful in much (Luke 16:10). Cultivating it begins in the everyday stuff of life.

On Judgment Day, I don’t think God will be impressed with our honors, degrees, or accumulated wealth. What will matter to him is reflected in the words…. “Enter good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

That is success in God’s eyes.

Father, help us believers walk in the true meaning of success. Help us respond to you in everyday acts of unselfishness, kindness and forgiveness. May all who are reading this one day hear the words, “Enter good and faithful servant.” Amen.

Go Deeper — Check out some of these sayings by Mother Teresa and be inspired by her wholehearted devotion to God. Which resonates the most with you?