Bob Buford is a businessman who lived for success. Around the age of 14, he determined that he would enter the business realm, along side of his mother who owned media outlets, build a solid business and make money. He succeeded. As he tells the story in Half Time, in mid-life he realized that while he enjoyed and appreciated success, there was something missing. At about the same time his only son, a young entrepreneur, died in a swimming accident. Profoundly effected by all of this, he made the decision to change the focus of his life from success to significance and went on to found an organization that helps ministries and church leaders use the opportunities that exist around them more effectively. A decade later, his writing and coaching has become a movement that is positively changing many lives.
Are you chasing success or living for significance? Maybe you do not even know how to differentiate those goals. Success is measured by external markers: status, money, titles, possessions; being a few. Significance is much more difficult to measure because it involves the inner person, the spiritual life. A person who seeks significance builds relationships, encourages others, serves without need for recognition, and most important - obeys God. Some mistakenly think that success and significance cannot coexist. Admittedly, wealth can, and often does, complicate spiritual development. Jesus told us that "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Luke 18:25, NIV) He went on to explain that spiritual transformation must be sought and only comes when a person is totally surrendered to the Spirit of God. That is a very hard choice to make for someone who has been accustomed to calling the shots and leading the charge! However, when a person who has known success says 'yes' to the will of God, the Lord can take the success he has known and make it useful for His work in this world.
Jesus puts this challenge before each one of us- will you choose to chase success as measured by accumulating possessions or will you pursue significance as measured by Heaven's values? Here's how He said it. "Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being." (Matthew 6:19-21, The Message) The siren song of success lures many to give their lives something that proves illusory. They find that even when they have some measure of success, more beckons. The next big deal, the next award, the next promotion, the next vacation or toy will surely be the one that fills up the hole in their soul. But, after reaching the goal, they find the hunger is only temporarily sated, and returns even more fiercely!
The person who finds himself at rest in the center of God's will, lives a life blessed with the peace of God. Let's not make the mistake of thinking that the gateway to significance is poverty or retreat from life in the real world! God may call some of us to walk that way, just as Jesus did when asked by a young rich nobleman how he might find eternal life.
"Go, sell your possessions and give your wealth to the poor. Then, come follow Me." Sometimes a radical cure for materialism is required. But for many, Christ will assume mastery of their lives right where they are. Their business, their career, their home, their family will become God's and they will begin to let Him lead. That can be an even more challenging transformation than suddenly selling it all and moving to a monastery!
Believer, what is the true goal of your life? The answer may not be obvious, for our hearts are deceptive. Discerning our true motives demands spiritual surgery. If you want to live for significance, to spend the days you pass here on this earth in a way that creates a lasting legacy, let the Word of God speak to you.
"God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what." (Hebrews 4:12-13, The Message) Are you ready for transformation?
Take my life and let it be,
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
- public domain
Frances Havergal
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