Success

Merriam Webster defines success as the attainment of wealth, favor or eminence; favorable or desired outcome; one that succeeds. Being successful is one of the things that everyone of us aims for. The desired success relates to various areas of life including career/business, family, finances etc. The great thing is that God is also committed to us being successful in life. For example, He empowers us with ideas and strategies, creates opportunities for us etc. For it is He who gives us the power to make wealth. Deut 8:18. 

My question today however is “What had success done to you?” In 1 Sam 8, the Israelites asked for a king. In chapter 9, God asked Samuel to anoint Saul king over Israel. When Samuel said this to Saul, Saul’s concern was “Me? How? I’m from the least of the tribe of Israel. In fact, my clan is the least even in Benjamin”. Interpretation, who am I? This is bigger than me. Now fast forward to chapters 13 –15 of the same book. After Saul had ruled for a number of years, his perception changed. Instead of waiting for the Priest Samuel, Samuel took the place of the priest (1 Sam 13: 8-9). He figured he had the process down already and could go ahead and operate in the office of both the king and the priest. And why? “…when I saw that the men were scattering… v:11”. It appeared he was losing his “success” and certainly couldn’t let that happen so he took matters into his hands forgetting how he got the success in the first place. By the time we get to chapter 15, when Samuel had given Saul God’s instructions, Saul and the army didn’t fully obey the word of God. When Samuel got to Saul after the battle, Saul said “… I have carried out the Lord’s instructions”. Samuel questioned the sound of the bleating sheep and Saul’s response was “… the soldiers spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to God”.   

Interesting how we can get successful to the point where we begin to change and redefine what obedience is. We begin to change the standard and justified our acts of disobedience (trusting in ourselves and the arm of flesh). How many times have you decided on what to do to “maintain” your success and then only gone to God to assent it or just share it with Him as an FYI? How many times has God given you an instruction and you tweaked it to soothe what was socially or politically acceptable to people?  

God’s plan was to have Saul’s descendants on the throne. However, because Saul stopped wholly following God, God changed His mind about him and none of his descendants reigned over Israel. Do not let your actions cause God to regret giving you power to prosper. Don’t let your success cause you to feel self-sufficient enough that you turn away from the one true source. You can’t tick the box with God after the facts. Your tithes and offerings in church will not cut it. To have true and lasting success, the type that is trans-generational, you need to wholly follow God and be completely obedient to Him. Truly successful people never forget how they became successful since they understand that what they are currently experiencing is only the beginning on the journey and the only one that can see them through to the end is God. May the eyes of your understanding be enlightened so you know that what you are currently celebrating is only an iota of what God has in store for you – for eyes has not seen and ear has not heard it yet. Don’t truncate God’s plans for your life and generation. 

Remain connected, 

Bolaji Ajayi