Graduation season has come and gone once again, just as it does every year. Many of us celebrated with both high school and college graduates who are ready to jump out into the world and accomplish their dreams. In the midst of ceremonies, grad parties, and going away parties there is one word that graduates along with the rest of us are reminded of…”Success” Am I going to achieve it? Have I already achieved it? What does it even mean?
When I was at a grad party, we were asked to write down our “Keys to Success” for the graduate and it got me thinking of how we define it. For many it may be the “American Dream” of having a thriving career with the huge house and nice car. But if we achieved that would we feel as though we succeeded or would we get caught in the trap of always wanting more?
My idea of success has changed drastically over the years and as I go through different seasons of my life, I’m realizing that our view of success changes with each season. And that’s ok! As we grow and mature as Christ-followers, we realize that success is not about the amount of stuff we collect, earn or achieve, but rather the lives that we impacted as followed what God called us to do in our everyday lives. We don’t have to be concerned with what the world calls success because God’s version of success is not limited by our career or our income. God’s success is concerned with our hearts and our willingness leave the things of this world behind for His purpose.
Colossians 3:1-3 says, “Since, then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
By keeping our focus on God and his higher purpose for our lives, we are able to discover the key to success in our lives. Not only that, we have the opportunity to give others that key to unlock the chains that have them bound to a world where they will never succeed so they too can be free!
-Erin Dedini
Photo Taken by Adelle Roux (https://www.flickr.com/photos/kittikat/) Licensed by Creative Commons (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode)