God,
Success, & Me
Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom
of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field,
which someone found and hid; then in his joy he
goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
(Matthew 13.44)
“For God Himself works in our souls, in their
deepest depths, taking increasing control as we
are progressively willing to be prepared for His
wonder. We cease trying to make ourselves the
dictators and God the listener, and become the
joyful listeners to Him, the Master, who does
all things well.” (Thomas R. Kelly, A Testament
of Devotion)
Lord God, I confess. Much of my spiritual quest
is spent looking for You in the big and successful,
the accolades and applause,
the limelight of numerical growth,
or full bank accounts and unstoppable health.
I,
like other human travelers, can be wooed
by the seemingly obvious empowerment
that makes me look good
and feel superior.
But
in reality, Lord, the Incarnational One
speaks of a radically different kind of success,
a countercultural measure of absolute majesty,
a call of finding meaning and mystery in the mundane.
For
it’s in the little things that my soul is
fed,
my spirit buoyed,
my self-worth affirmed by the mere act of living
out
Your most hallowed of names: Love.
So
thank you, God, for such break-through moments
as
¨ dirty dishes that reflect filled stomachs
and fellowship
¨ special friends who find the right way to
care deeply
¨ stunning sunsets following a cleansing rain
¨ music that gives voice to the heart’s
cravings
¨ quiet opportunities to serve and be served
¨ calming, divine whispers that permeate times
of silence.
These,
and innumerable other holy connections,
are the true stories of success—
the unmistakable, clear, unearned signs
of being at peace with You, and Your universe,
even in times of personal or communal struggle
and failure.
Thank You for being a Maker who does all things
well. Amen.
Virgil
Fry
