What is True Success?

The following notes are from one of JPK’s talks with us during one of our very first RA classes last year. If any current RA’s are reading this or reviewing it—Great! But no matter where we are in life… life is ministry and we are God’s children… so it continues to apply!

What does it mean to be successful?
What does it mean to be what I’m called to be? To be someone that the LORD uses?
Instead of success, think in these five terms:

RIGHTEOUSNESS – being right before God in attitude and action, in principle and practice in order to please God who tests our hearts. (I Cor. 4:1-5; I Thes. 2:3-4) In the end, we are not going to be judged by those who we work with or lead, but rather it will be before the LORD. Ask “Would the LORD have me to do this?” or “How can I do this to please God?”

FAITHFULNESS – Success is not defined by other people (Matt. 25:14-30). Don’t, out of fear of failure, not do anything! Think of success clearly defined as those things you are faithful to do. You can’t meet every single need of those around you… be faithful in the way that God supernaturally sends people across your path.

STRENUOUSNESS – We should think in terms—not of being driven by some external outcome—but rather motivated from an internal strenuous drive… because we are motivated by the Gospel and the desire to see others run hard after Christ (I Thes. 2:9-10). Don’t think of success in terms of things we can see... outward results. Instead, be motivated by the internal drive and effort that is cultivated by Christ. Remember Jeremiah who had nothing to show for his strenuous labor at the end of the day… but he was FAITHFUL.

ATTENTIVENESS – Ministry is done one person at a time… one conversation, one moment. It’s one-on-one with every single individual person… one step at a time of meeting needs. Don’t blow over individuals or their needs because you think you have a greater activity or need to meet. Your ministry should be defined by small, obscure, never-noticed care for individuals… one step at a time. Be attentive to the details. Eph. 4:1, 4:15-16

MEEKNESS – We are called to walk in a meek and humble disposition. Meekness is not a door mat! Even Christ defined Himself as meek, yet He was the greatest, most powerful man who ever lived. What do you have that God has not given you? God desires to see you walking in meekness with a Christ-like attitude. Pridefulness has no place in your ministry! Who are you going to be when other people fail you? Are you going to be gentle and humble in that moment? How will you respond?