Pinnacle of Popularity

          

        It seems every year I set new goals.  Through the year I accomplish some of my goals, but rarely all of them and even the ones accomplished sometimes are altered by the time “completion” has occurred.  

      I’d like to be a success.  I expect most of us do or at least have had these kinds of dreams.  Now, of course, the definition of success changes from person to person, but with success usually comes at least a certain amount of satisfaction, monetary rewards or other kind of compensation for a job well done at whatever we are working toward.  Personally, I just want to see my work “out there” making a difference in people’s lives.  Fame?  Not likely, I’m just an ordinary person, doing what I consider an ordinary job.  Money?  Well, sure, that is certainly a welcome reward for a job well done, but it’s more than that.  It’s about leaving something worthwhile, and helping to make someone’s life just a little better. 

            The greatest success story is the story of Christ, the Messiah.  Jesus had been on the earth 33 years and at the pinnacle of his popularity, people had to make a choice.  He had performed many healing miracles, rebuked demons and even brought Lazarus back to life.  The common people thought he was wonderful while the Religious leaders of the time felt horribly threatened.   

            There comes a time when we need to meet with Jesus, one on one, and make a decision to follow Him.  This should be the most important decision in our entire life.  It doesn’t matter what we do on a daily basis or what legacy we leave!  What does matter is where we choose to spend eternity.

            Once we meet with Jesus we place our souls into His trust, yet how often do we not trust him with our finances, kids, health or other decisions?  Do we even approach him when things are turned upside down because we feel we have the need and power to do it ourselves?    

            Are we afraid to allow God to “control” our lives?  He has a way of using our abilities or talents to place us in uncomfortable arenas, out of our comfort zone.  What He sometimes asks goes against what seems naturally possible in the physical world, as we know it.  Consider even the belief of Mary and Martha as God calls Lazarus out of the tomb.  What is He asking of you that seems unnatural to your normal way of thinking?  Is it forcing you to trust him? 

          Jesus will fill us with the ability to trust, believe and have the faith required to leave behind the world and follow Him.  When we remember that Jesus raised Lazarus from death, even though we weren’t physically there to witness his resurrection, we can be reassured he also raises each of us who accept Him as Savior from an eternal death in a lake of fire.  And with that trust, can also come the ability to trust Him to do whatever "work" he has set aside for us!

         Our pinnacle of success is best measured by what we do for Christ during this life.  It is after all the only thing we can take with us when we depart this world.  All other rewards will be of absolutely no value.  So I ask you, where do you see your pinnacle of success?  Is it for Christ or something (or someone) else?