I was listening to a talk that was being given and I heard a phrase I had heard before but I heard it in a new way. For two days now that phrase has been turning over in my mind. ”God hasn’t called you to be successful, he has called us to be faithful.” 

Wow, so many of us have it completely wrong! The world around us says you have only made it if you are what others perceive as successful, if others acknowledge your success, or if it’s seen. We strive to stand out and even push others back so we can be seen. Who cares about the others anyway? It’s crazy and it’s prideful, this arrogant attitude of doing whatever it takes to get ahead. 

This is not what God has called us to as believers. God despises the proud. According to scripture God humbles the proud and that he exalts the humble. What he prizes is not us standing out or being loud and proud of our service or faithful work, no instead he desires us to be humble and faithful. First Peter 5:6 says, “Humble yourself therefore under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” In Hebrews 10:27 it declares “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for he who has promised is faithful!” In Matthew 25:21 the phrase that we want to hear God say to us is written. What is that phrase? “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

We think God wants our success for him, like he needs us to make him famous or to bring him acclaim. No, God forbid that we would think that’s his goal for us. He wants our humble obedience and our faithful service. Knowing the glory and honor is his alone, and not only recognizing it but living that way.

Maybe you have felt that what you do for God is not enough because you aren’t “successful”, “followed”, or “seen”. Are you faithful in your love and humle in your service of Christ? That is enough. Maybe you walk around and are proud of all that you do for the Lord. I guarantee you that you are missing the point. Be humble, serve faithfully, and by doing so know that you are following Christ’s example. If you receive praise then you turn it all back to him, the one who made you able and the one who deserves the glory. If there’s acclaim you give it to God and God alone.

Hear me today and know it’s true, God did not call you to be successful, no god called you to be faithful and humbly serve.