Are you a Success?

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In my mind success is somewhat determined by the view of the one succeeding. 

I heard a story of a man, who had bowled two perfect games in 2004. In 2005 he was inducted into the Kalamazoo metro bowling association hall of fame. In 2006 he bowled another perfect game and died of a heart attack. 

His bowling partner described... 

​it as though that would have been the way he wanted to go.

To some, his life may have been considered a success. A success at bowling, yeah maybe. But to me, I wouldn’t want that to be my legacy. 

Success is often looked at as when one reaches the top, but if you have reached the top, are you done?

Perhaps success is working towards the goal of mastering something even though it may never be perfect. Success is not about living in the good old days, but working today to be better tomorrow. 

Have you Mastered your craft? Mastery is the art of diligent work over time toward a specific goal. However, many masters never feel that they have reached that Goal. Many famous painters would never feel their work is done, let alone perfect.

Michelangelo, in the Sistine Chapel, painted Adam reaching toward God, but not quite touching Him. When it comes to being good enough we just fall short. But persist. Push on. Work hard.

"We thrive not when we have done it all but when we have more to do."  Sarah Lewis, Ted Talk.

I have heard of some wealthy business owners who thought they had succeeded. So they sat back and relaxed. Only to find that they became depressed. Perhaps until Jesus comes we will just have to keep pushing on. 

Philippians 3:12-16
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

Philippians 1:6 CEV
God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.

Embrace the work that God has set before you.