Success Redefined
In elementary school I won the spelling bee for my school district. I won on the word achieve. I will never forget that day. A local newspaper snapped a photo of me holding my trophy, smiling from ear to ear, standing next to my parents and Mr. Fairman, my favorite teacher in the world. The trophy I held proved that I was a success, but I wasn’t truly convinced. You see my sixth grade year was a nightmare. A few months into the school year, I learned my father, a military officer, was being transferred and my family would be moving to Germany sometime soon. My friends decided a friendship with me was no longer worth the investment, and I was left alone at recess to sit on the curb and watch everyone else have fun. Fortunately, Mr. Fairman observed my loneliness and sat down next to me. Not just once, but for weeks that led into the last months of school. Mr. Fairman ate lunch and talked to me on that curb. His faithful presence and compassionate listening made him the best teacher I ever had.
The best lawyers often have assertive personalities. There was one lawyer who challenged Jesus with one of the most important questions. The Bible says in Luke 10:25 that he asked, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus responded with His own question. He asked the lawyer “What is written in the law?” He wanted to know if the lawyer knew his stuff! The lawyer responded,“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” Bingo! Jesus told him that his answer was right, but true success would come when he actually DID those things.
Love God. Love others. That’s success in God’s eyes. How often do we make it about something else? We look at personal income, houses, vacation destinations, car brands, savings accounts, and even the number of people that follow us on social media. What does God say about it all? He says that it all comes down to love. Love God. Love others. It’s simple, yet challenging. It cost Mr. Fairman his lunch period, but it changed my life. I don’t remember much of what we studied in sixth grade, but I will never forget a man who walked toward the teacher’s lounge, did a u-turn, and came back to sit by me during recess.
Friends recently asked us to share our greatest success story from The 180 Center, a Biblical Discipleship Training Center in New Haven, CT. We began to think about all the people that have graduated from the 18 month program we offer. We thought of their amazing transformations and incredible accomplishments. Which graduate had the most impressive success story? As we pondered this question, the Lord reminded us. Love God. Love others. Ah yes, Lord! The greatest success story we have to share is that God is teaching us at The 180 Center everyday to love. He’s changing our hearts and giving us much needed grace to love Him more and to love others with His love. God is turning lives around at The 180 Center, but the greatest work He’s doing is in our hearts. It’s challenging and costs so much, but we press on to receive the heavenly prize. Love God. Love others. Will you redefine success with us? Will you make it about love?
