We have all heard this question asked over-and-over. From the ranks of celebrities and politicians, success is defined as high achievement and too often wealth. Indeed, while success is driven by the hungry (those who desire and drive for success) it is not just defined by the highest levels of earthly definitions.
What is Christian success? This is perhaps a contradiction of terms; an oxymoron. (Defined by the opposite of intellectual ideals.) On one hand it is about what we achieve, accomplish, the ability to earn, and the ratings of many. Yet, I am convinced that it is not just the rankings of those at the top. It is also the depths of deepest meaning as well.
I love what Tony Dungy says about success. He has achieved great fame and success in his career as a great football player, winning both college bowl and the Super Bowl as player and coach! No one would ever think of Dungy as not achieving. He now speaks all over the country and the World as he lends his voice to the NFL as well as leading such great causes as All-Pro Dads.
He says, “Let me suggest that is comes down to what kind of role model we are, especially to children.” (Uncommon Life Devotional Challenge)
Dungy was referring to the life of Dave Thomas as he thought about Christian success and write the quote above. As many know that the Thomas foundation has done much to promote Adoption and even Dave has lived it out through Adoption. It’s important to recognize that a life lived well it’s not about just what you believe but it goes beyond that.
Success in the eyes of the world may be about things and privilege and prestige but in the Christian life, success is more than those things. It is about living both publicly and privately our faith. It’s about making choices and also about behavior, as Dungy further states. It’s about being a role model. Dungy suggest that, “it comes down to what kind of role model we are, especially to children.”
We can read in scripture that the Lord defined faith through the description of being adopted. We read in Ephesians that we have been adopted and by God’s grace, through Jesus Christ and we are children of God.
Ephesians 1:5: God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
