What is God's Measuring Stick for Success?

Andy Stanley wrote "Direction, not Intention, determines your Destination." Whew. Let that soak in. We can have the best of intentions but it's the day to day choices that determines our outcome. Will I serve my spouse selflessly? Will I show up and serve, expecting nothing in return? Will I humbly follow where God leads and put people before my agenda and needs?

Lately, God has reminded me that my measuring stick for success cannot reflect the world's measuring stick for success. The world's measuring stick for success equates with financial gain...notoriety...statistics. God's measuring stick for success is obedience.

I must remember that success isn't measured by the amount of people that attend or don't attend an event; it's not in my bank account or the amount of speaking engagements I do or do not get. My measuring stick for success must be measured by the following questions: Did I follow when God called? Did I serve and extend His love to each person I met? Was God the object of my affection? Did I hunger for numbers or did I live to see men and women experience His transformed living?

Jesus said, "The greatest among you will be your servant." (Matt 23:11-12, NIV) Wow! Do I serve selflessly? Do I pause to listen or do I hunger to be heard? Do I think of other's needs or do I manipulate conversations to push my agenda? Am I reflecting the basin and towel in my marriage...in my parenting? When people think of me do they sense God's love?

Today, we have a great opportunity to take up our cross and follow Him. To lay down our rights and extend mercy and servant hood. We will be hard pressed to resist fleshly tendencies to push "our rights" BUT by God's grace we will overcome.

So...let's break it down to one simple thought today...Let's truly make it our ambition to serve selflessly. For some of us that will mean to love someone who is difficult to love. For others, it'll mean to remain quiet and not defend but to simply forgive and practice mercy. For others, we will need to lay aside jockeying for a position and instead serve with humility and follow after God in obscurity...

It won't be an easy task...but what is IMPOSSIBLE with man is POSSIBLE with God. I'm committed. How about you?