In Whose Eyes?

How would you define success? Even to Christians there is an element of worldly gain attached to the definition. We would say that a successful ministry reached "X" number of people, handed out "X" items, or had "X" amount of visitors. While there is a certain amount of truth to this, we must make sure not to rely on numbers solely.

God does not view things through the same eyes we do. He sees so much more and knows the outcome before it can even begin to be conceived of by any of us. I love the first few verses in Job 38, where God decides it is time to speak up to a group of arguing "theologians":

Who is this who obscures my counsel with ignorant words?

Get ready and answer Me like a man;

when I question you, you will inform Me.

Where were you when I established the earth?

Tell Me if you have understanding.

Who fixed its dimensions? Certainly you know!

Who stretched a measuring line across it?

What supports its foundations?

Or who laid the cornerstone while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Job 38:2-7

There is a quote by Oswald Chambers that I've printed and use as a bookmark in my Bible. It is a wonderful reminder to look at my life and the ministry He has called Kevin and I to through His eyes and not our own. Read the following quote and ask God to show you what your life looks like to Him today. Perhaps you are more, or less successful than you think.

God called Jesus Christ to what seemed

unmitigated disaster.

Jesus Christ called His disciples

to see Him put to death;

He led every one of them to the place

where their hearts were broken.

Jesus Christ's life was an absolute failure

from every standpoint

but God's.

But what seemed failure from man's standpoint

was a tremendous triumph from God's,

because God's purpose is

never man's purpose...

The things that happen

do not happen by chance,

they happen entirely in the decree of God.

God is working His purposes.

Oswald Chambers