Guidebook for Success
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Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.
This is a different slant than what we would hear on television, isn’t it. We can/will be “successful” by basing our life decisions on the Bible and its message. The words written therein provide guidance for our career path, and every other aspect of our lives. Not sure whether or not to take on another volunteer project at the children’s school, or at church, or with the scouts? Spend some time with God – in His word. The answer will be revealed – we only need to know where to look for the answer.
I don’t mean to say that words will jump off the page, spelled out for you like a word puzzle – do this, do that, go here or there. But I know my own experience has been that if I pray, seek God’s word and then act, the outcome is so much better than I could have achieved of my own accord. It can be challenging sometimes though because we may realize we must leave a particular job, or give up an activity we enjoy, or not participate in one we’ve been wanting to start. Those are the tough ones to let go of.
Life can be profoundly disappointing – I borrowed that from someone – don’t mean to plagiarize. The up side of that undeniable truth is that Jesus is there in our disappointment. He understands working hard, giving our all only to find that it was seemingly meaningless or pointless. After all, his disciples still didn’t get it for some time after the crucifixion, did they! But God is so good, that he allows good things to come our way in spite of our disappointment.
Sometimes our disappointment is used to refine us, so that we can be ready for the next opportunity. Sometimes it is used to teach us humility and reliance upon God. Sometimes we don’t understand the purpose. But God will use it! And it will be for our ultimate good. We must believe He is there in the mix, using every opportunity to teach, refine, prepare and comfort us through each experience. I have experienced all of these, and I am so grateful to God that he has sent a few disappointments my way – because the result has been great joy. Yes, joy! He has refined and scraped and burned away so much junk, that I rejoice at the prospect of casting off even more – though it may be painful – so that He can work in me even more deeply.
My prayer today is that you use the Bible as your Guide to Success in Life. And that you follow the rules for success contained within its pages.
Mary
