Success

“Is this a successful operation?” In his book Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion, Father Greg Boyle says he gets that question a lot from potential donors trying to evaluate his ministry. Boyle founded Homeboy Industries, a gang-intervention program that offers employment, responsibility and a new start to gang members. The donors, suspicious because of the gang connections, want to know if their money is going to a worthy cause, with measurable results.

So Boyle shrugs, and asks, “How do you define success?”

Boyle offers this example for the donors to consider: One gang member asks Boyle for a job involving computers. Boyle finds a business that will take the young man, and teach him some rudimentary computer skills. Despite everyone’s concerns, Boyle included, he always arrives on time, and does whatever he is asked. The man is off the streets, getting a steady paycheck, and loves his job.

A few months later, this same man is sitting on his front steps eating a sandwich for lunch. A car slowly drives by, loaded with armed members of a rival gang. They spot him, start shooting through the open back window of the car, and kill him.

Does this man’s story go on the positive or negative side of the success ledger for Boyle’s ministry?

What about Old Testament prophets like Jeremiah, Elijah and others? Apparently, they stunk at their job because they didn’t have huge crowds following them, typically were broke, and kept prophesying about the destruction of Israel due to the people’s sins. Not exactly how you endear yourself to the masses.

What about Jesus? Obviously a failure, since the same people He came to save end up killing him.

So how do you define success?

God tells Joshua the secret to success before the Israelites conquer the Promised Land (Joshua 1:6-9). But He doesn’t mention our common yardsticks, like how many people you’re in charge of, how much influence you have, or how big you bank account is.

Instead, God says,

1) be courageous and trust me,

2) obey My commandments, and

3) keep studying My Word.

“Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed” (Joshua 1:8, Message). God does not say you’re successful when everything goes your way, or when conditions are easy. He doesn’t even give a specific point at which you can say “I did it!”

True success cannot be measured in wins and losses. It cannot be quantified based on the longevity of your business or ministry, and cannot be determined based on the number of digits between the decimal point and the dollar sign.

Instead, God links true success to obedience and being faithful to Him, no matter what your circumstances are, which is an ongoing process.

What does success look like to you?