Naked Man Moleskin

This morning is extremely personal – hope that’s ok.

I used to want to be successful. But I didn’t know what that word meant. I knew culturally it probably translated to a good paying job, equity in a home, retirement savings, kids relatively provided for. I never thought success necessarily meant material wealth. But yet everything I halfheartedly associated with success was indeed materialistically based.  The other half, if I am really honest with myself, was the acceptance and approval of man. If I could rip away the cloudiness of the day to day and expose the raw motivation of my behaviors, I’m ashamed to admit that success was intimately linked to how I perceived others viewed me. Turns out it is a bigger driver of “success” than I thought.

I didn’t think 40 would be a big stake in the sand, but it turns out it is. And for me, I’m trading success for sanctification. I’m tired of pursuing acceptance and worth from others. I’m already worthy – Jesus on the cross 2000 years ago proved it when he died for me. But it’s the process of becoming “set apart” – to be sanctified, that I’m focused on now for the next 40. Romans 6:19 calls us to offer ourselves as slaves to righteousness, leading to holiness. I’m all in. And honestly, I’ve never felt more free in doing so.

Maybe this resonates with you, maybe it doesn’t. But hopefully in the words of one small man turning another year older you can also find in yourselves the chance to put a stake in the stand and challenge what success means – or give it up entirely.