09
Give Me Success Today
Tim Savage12“O Lord, God of my master, Abraham,” he prayed. “Please give me success today, and show unfailing love to my master, Abraham.” Genesis 24
23Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 25And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?
48Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” Luke 9
Usually I force myself to choose just one passage from the reading to journal on, but this morning each of these passages resonates so deeply with me that I am going to keep them all. In Genesis, I love the prayer of Abraham’s servant, “Please give me success today…” Success, not from a financial standpoint, but in terms of the plans of my master. My prayer today is, “Please give me success today for the plans of New Hope and specifically my responsibilities within.
In Luke 9, I am convicted by the instructions for those of us who follow Jesus, they’re a constant reminder to put aside my pride and to shelve my selfish desires in order to focus on what really matters. That is such a daily discipline because it’s incredible how quickly my pride and selfishness take control. I find myself manipulating and maneuvering for my own benefit and gain, whether it is financially or for reputation, power or influence. The hammer really hits hard when Jesus says, “Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” I am constantly working hard to become the greatest, to ascend to the top, to gain more opportunity and favor, but this is completely contrary to the way that Jesus wants us to live.
I must strive to become the least, not the most. How do I do that? I have to give credit where it is due, to build others up and remember that my flame is never diminished by lighting someone else’s. I have to learn to not crave the limelight or the glory and I must constantly look for Christ’s plan for my life rather than dream up or scheme for myself. I want to make more, have more and do more, but God has me right where He knows I need to be, according to His plan. If I can learn to cooperate with His plan I can worry less and have more joy.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please give me success today, according to Your plans.
In Jesus name,
Amen
