Dear Tom:
During the political conventions we heard a lot about “success.” People threw out the words “successful, failure, fail, etc.,” as if they are the measure and justification of all things. Sadly there is a lot of truth to their assessment when it comes to our current state of affairs and public mindset. I once occupied that world, and understand the seduction.
Currently “success” as defined by our material world trumps. It is not ideas or opinions, but deeds that silence and satisfy. Success justifies wrongs done, and demand that we worship at the altar of success’ dictum – the end justifies the means.
The problem as Bonhoeffer said so well – “The figure of the Crucified invalidates all thought which takes success for its standard.”
God is not interested in success. As long as we follow in God’s way, we may suffer defeat and whatever else the world throws at us, but God will show us a kind of success that the world can’t comprehend. His way is a narrow path, and few take it, but the good news is that no matter how often we heed success’ siren call and take a detour, the path of God is always open.
Your friend, Webb
Leave a Reply +