Back in the 80’s, there was a movie that starred Michael J. Fox called The Secret of My Success. Success is something many of us strive after but it is often very elusive. Because of the elusiveness of success, we wonder “what is the secret?”
What is the Secret of Success?
Hardwork? Some think success is discovered through hard work. Success is not seen as something that is achieved overnight. It happens through many long hours, late nights, and early morning.
Good Fortune? Some think that success is found through good fortune. It is being in the right place at the right time.
People You Know? Some think that success comes from who you know. As the saying goes it is not what you know, but who you know.
A Combination of the Above? Malcolm Gladwell wrote a book called Outliers that studied “successful” people (as defined by the world). In summary, it showed that there was not one key to their success but many different factors coming together.
Definition of Success
Before we should talk about the secret to success, we should understand what success is. Success is something that is going to be defined in different ways by different people. For some success may be making lots of money. For another person it is living content in life. For another success is going to be defined by achievement.
As believers, success for us would be defined by the presence of the Fruit of the Spirit. Yesterday, we talked about the Fruit of the Spirit. God desires the Fruit of the Spirit to be abundantly produced in our lives. That is success as God defines success! If the Fruit of the Spirit is present in your life, you will possess a satisfaction that no other worldly success could bring you.
A Path Toward Success
There is an inseparable link between the Fruit of the Spirit and Jesus words in John 15. Here Jesus says:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, ESV)
The secret to the success of the branch is its connection with the vine. The branch receives much-needed nutrition through the vine that enables it to produce abundant fruit. Without a strong connection to the vine, the fruit of the branch will be withered and useless.
God created us to produce. When he created Adam and Eve in Genesis, he said, “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). He made us for “success” according to his definition of success. And if that success is to be discovered, the path to that success will be living according to God design. That design is being connected to the true vine which is Jesus Christ.
So over the next few days, I want to look at what it means to be connected to the Christ. How do we remain in the vine and discover God’s fruitful abundance (success!)?
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to remain in the vine?
- What are some practical ways you stay connected to Christ?
- How do you define success?
- Share your comments below.
Diane J says
Looking forward to this series. I’ve often puzzled about just how we were to go about fulfilling Jesus’ plea to abide in Him, the vine.
Sharon Grizzle says
I think the way we abide in Him, is to be in a meaningful relationship with Him. It is like any other relationship you have, except this one is the most important. With your spouse or children, you talk to them, you listen to them. You know what they want, even if they don’t verbalize it. You feel it. I listen to Him, when I read His word and respond to His nudgings on my heart.
awh says
Life goal – making a difference. Success = the number of lives touched in a positive way ( using my gifts).