How to succeed? This question I'm sure has been at the forefront of the human mind since the dawn of time. It doesn't really matter what one desires to succeed in; big or small, useful or trivial, religious or secular, public or private. The point is we all desire success in something. The human drive to succeed results in the pursuit of "trade secrets," "competitive edges," etc. In many cases these come in the form of seminars and most popularly in the form of "How To" books. In popular culture, the drive for success has been depicted in the Broadway musical "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." Opening originally in 1961, the play has recently undergone several revivals the most recent featuring Daniel Radcliffe as J. Pierrepont Finch. The play follows Finch, the main character, as he wriggles his way from the mailroom to the office of CEO by following the instructions of the book How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Along the way, he lies, cheats, and bamboozles his way to the top. Below, I've include the song "How To" from the recent revival of the musical.
Christians are not exempt from this desire and its attendant pursuits (i.e., seminars and/or books). In fact, Christians seem to be fully committed to finding out what it takes to succeed in business, home life, personal life, marriage, raising children, sex, politics, leadership (pastoral or otherwise), the list could go on. Don't believe me? Just take a leisurely stroll to your local Christian book store or the Christian section at a Barnes and Noble.
I find it odd that this pursuit for success will often lead the Christian away from what truly brings success. In many ways, this is analogous to the book of Judges. Israel has come into the land of Canaan and they desire to succeed, in battle, in agriculture, etc. They are enamored with the same question: How to succeed? Throughout the book they progressively ascribe to methods that guarantee success (self-interests, intermarriage, Baal-Asherah worship, etc). These methods center on human strength and self-interests. In contrast, true success is depicted as a result of "listening to God's voice" which entails faithfulness to him alone (worship) and active reliance on his presence (worldview).
The warning that emanates from Judges is this: "Don't be deceived by the allure of human understandings of and methods for success, even if they may help accomplish God's purposes for you. Instead, remain faithful to God and reliant on his presence."
BD
Christians are not exempt from this desire and its attendant pursuits (i.e., seminars and/or books). In fact, Christians seem to be fully committed to finding out what it takes to succeed in business, home life, personal life, marriage, raising children, sex, politics, leadership (pastoral or otherwise), the list could go on. Don't believe me? Just take a leisurely stroll to your local Christian book store or the Christian section at a Barnes and Noble.
I find it odd that this pursuit for success will often lead the Christian away from what truly brings success. In many ways, this is analogous to the book of Judges. Israel has come into the land of Canaan and they desire to succeed, in battle, in agriculture, etc. They are enamored with the same question: How to succeed? Throughout the book they progressively ascribe to methods that guarantee success (self-interests, intermarriage, Baal-Asherah worship, etc). These methods center on human strength and self-interests. In contrast, true success is depicted as a result of "listening to God's voice" which entails faithfulness to him alone (worship) and active reliance on his presence (worldview).
The warning that emanates from Judges is this: "Don't be deceived by the allure of human understandings of and methods for success, even if they may help accomplish God's purposes for you. Instead, remain faithful to God and reliant on his presence."
BD