Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
Things aren’t always rosy and cheery, BUT things can always be good in God. It’s a perspective. A matter of where you place your hope, of what to surrender and to whom. If everything fails, God will not.
Have you ever felt like you didn’t have what it takes to be successful?
I often feel that I don’t have the skill to get things done in the right way. But at other times I’ve felt, “I got this” and flubbed miserably.
Does having or lacking skill really determine success? Sure, a lot of factors must weigh in to bring about great achievement. If skill alone is what we work for to make ourselves successful, we may be working ourselves right out of our desired accomplishment.
It’s a little oxymoronish to consider that too much skill could spell failure. Yet real success doesn’t lie in our skill or our resources. Certain goals and levels of triumph can be obtained by shear force. But to accomplish that which is outlandishly impossible, to achieve a dream that hangs on a thread requires more than determination. Lasting success requires faith.
At least that’s what I read in 1 Chronicles 5:18 and following. The Jewish tribes had skill. “They were skilled in combat and armed” to the hilt, no less. These guys were seasoned, experts in warfare, and ready for battle.
If I had all that going for me, I’d be taking them on, pushing forward, and relying on my own abilities. Why, isn’t that what God gave me the skill for? Aren’t we to use these skills to make what we aim for successful? My self-reliant attitude and the subsequent actions would set me up for failure, or at best provide a very short-lived success.
The next phrase in the Chronicles passage about the Israelites isn’t, “So they kicked tail and took names.” No. They had skill and resources all right, but their greatest asset was God himself. Listen to what they did. “They cried out to God during the battle, and he answered their prayer because they trusted in him.”
They were skilled, fit, ready, and from all aspects had it all together to get the job done, but they didn’t rely on all of that. They won the victory because of their faith, because they trusted in God! Their skill was put to use but it wasn’t the determining factor.
The implication of this truth for our lives is huge. We work so hard to try to be good, better, or best so we’ll have success. But it doesn’t matter if our skill is little or a lot, or if our resources are overflowing or not. What makes the difference is our level of “trust in God.” It’s the extent of our belief in God that plays the greatest role in our success.
Whew. That takes a heavy weight off my shoulders. I stress over my lack, both in my skills and in my resources. Although I’ll never have to worry about being over skilled and need to continue honing my abilities and developing my resources, I must keep all of that effort in perspective. My skill may be used, but it’s not the major determiner of my failure or success. I need to put the largest effort in learning to trust in God.
God loves to work on behalf of those who completely trust in him. Built within that trust is obedience. Even when the task seems irrational or unlikely to be successful, I must obey and trust. On a side note, I love the freedom to succeed or fail that I get when I trust God and do what he asks. The results are all his. Success is measured in faith not skill.
Check out how to be successful at Successful Life and Leadership and Stepping into Success.
* picture from personalbrandingblog.com
Living free, quite frankly, is no fall cakewalk. Fear binds me all up – binds me to expectations, religion, and sure-fire failure. I can never measure up to other’s expectations, religion’s rules, or perfect pastor-wife’s position. But I‘ve found a secret to living free from all that.
It’s really a one step process: Take love and be filled to overflowing. As I’ve learned through difficulties, God is all I need, all I want, and nothing else can fill that place.
It’s love, true love that’s the key to living free and casting off cords that bind. My life verse is “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”(2 Tim. 1:7) Out of love comes power and self-discipline; timidity and fear melt away. I pray this verse when fear strikes.
Perfect love comes from personal relationship with God. Freedom to live as a Christ follower doesn’t come from religion’s rules, but flows out of love for God. Ironically, this freedom requires more of a commitment. It’s about relationship with God and proper relational etiquette rather than rules of “churchianity.” A self-discipline. See previous verse. We have to mind all the checks the Holy Spirit gives. That’s way beyond a set of rules handed down from generations of church going people. The only way to receive the promptings and checks of God is to have personal dialogue with God – a personal relationship.
I offer a personal introduction to God as well as a set of communication exercises in iGETitLIFE with Purpose. The exercises are not set in stone. They are only coaching exercises to get your dialogue with God started on a personal level.
But first comes the introduction. We must realize we don’t measure up and see our need for God. That’s called sin. No matter how big or small, we all have it. But if you don’t feel the need for God, it won’t do any good to introduce you to him. If you desire an introduction, after realizing your need, you simply tell God you need him. “God, I’ve made a mess. I’ve sinned. I need you. Please come into my life, change my heart, and become my master giving me prompts and helping me follow them. God, I need you. Thank you for listening.”
If you talked with God like that and meant it with everything that’s in you, you are a Christ follower – one who is committed to following Jesus. At this point you have all the love you need to live free, but . . .
You have to live it out. It’s harder than living up to expectations and rules, but it’s freer. Fear will push you back into expectations and rules. Love will draw you deeper into the sacred relationship. Every moment is a choice, love or fear. One is freedom the other bondage.
Choose well, my friends. God’s grace will cover you in repentance.
An Interview with Eric Canaday at Christianity Unplugged:
Blog posts with related topics for discussion are below. You can read them, get to know me a little and make comments.
Living Free from Fear, Religion, & Expectations
iGETitLIFE 21 Day Challenge Wins 20 Day Reunion
My Time, My Way, & My Best Interest
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