Being a Success for Christ Every Day – Part 1
Hello everyone,
I hope you are well and enjoying the summer. It's been beautiful to have the sun shining on most days, flowers blossoming, gardens being lovingly tended, and to enjoy the brightness and joy that summer brings. I know there are BBQs happening, family holidays, staycations, prayer and worship conferences, and so much more.
We've been enjoying the summer too. I went fishing and camping with my husband for the first time which was memorable. In the midst of it all, we've also been following the Lord in a few exciting things, including finally launching our podcast this summer with seven full episodes!
For all the links, see here:OUR PODCAST IS LIVE — LightUK
We've received some wonderful feedback from friends, family, and listeners. It's been amazing to see that God is on this podcast—that He is using it to bless people. We've been trusting Him to anoint every episode and fill them with His presence because he is the one that makes the increase and helps bring the increase and this verse 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 helps Josh and I to remember this:
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
If you're one of the people who has listened, commented, subscribed, or liked the podcast, thank you so much for your support and encouragement. Please continue to share it with others who you think would benefit from it.
Being a Success for Christ
In the midst of all of this, the Lord Jesus reminded me of something beautiful that I want to share with you:
You can be a success for Christ every day.
I can already imagine some of you wondering how, or perhaps picturing what success looks like. Many of us, within Christian culture today, have come to associate success with platforms, fame, attention, large social media followings, great achievements, being chosen, wealth, and many other things. None of these things are inherently bad. Fame, wealth, or influence may come to some of us whether or not we follow Christ. However, being a success for Christ begins with our relationship with God and our inner world as we faithfully follow Him in the things before us.
Ephesians 6:10 reminds us where our strength comes from:
"Be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]."
As we develop—and continue to develop—a deep, abiding relationship with the Lord, we begin to find our worth and value in Him. We allow Him to correct us, speak into our lives, strengthen us, and build us up every day. As we do, we walk with confidence and assurance that we are doing what God has asked us to do and are exactly where He wants us to be.
Colossians 2:6–7 says it so beautifully:
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
This is so beautiful to me. No, it doesn't always satisfy our flesh or our natural desires, but I can sense the Lord's heart encouraging us to pursue His ways—to be transformed into the image of Christ and to faithfully walk in that. I love this Scripture because, as we grow in Him and become more deeply rooted in Him, thankfulness naturally overflows. We know Him. We are being led by His wisdom and His heart in a world that constantly tempts us to abandon Christ.
So, if we are never on a platform, never handed a microphone, never become wealthy or famous like someone else, are we still a success for Christ? The answer should be yes.
Jesus sees us. He sees our hearts. He made us. He has a wonderful plan for our lives and has given us everything we need to live a powerful life for Him every day.
Nowhere in the Bible is success measured by the standards our culture often uses today. God does give influence. He desires to meet our needs and help us flourish wherever He places us. But those things are never the measure of our success.
I'm reminded of John 15, where Jesus gives us this beautiful invitation:
"Abide in Me, and I in you... I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."
To dwell or abide in Him means more than simply praying. It means thinking about Him, meditating on His Word, and enjoying conversational intimacy with Jesus throughout the day. I've found that when I do this, He gives me direction. He has saved me from damaging relationships when my own thoughts have become negative. He has helped me see situations from His perspective instead of my own. He continually reminds me of what truly matters because, more than anything, I want to know God's heart—not simply my own opinion.
And success is one of those things He has reshaped for me. Success is loving Jesus and communing with Him every day. Success is following His Word. Success is loving our neighbours. Success is sharing the love of Jesus. Success is being obedient to whatever the Lord asks us to do each day.
Sometimes that will involve a big dream. Other times it will seem small in the eyes of the world. But what matters to the Lord is the heart that obeys Him. I want to invite you into an adventure with God—to live for Christ in your everyday life.
Whether you're a mother, a father, working in the marketplace, serving in the Church, or simply loving the people God has placed around you, know this:
God sees you.
His eyes are on you.
You are not overlooked by Him.
What you do for God matters.
He knows exactly where you are, where He is leading you, and the wonderful plans He has for your life.
