This past year many of my definitions as a believer have under gone further renovatons. Success is one of those definitions. I realized that there were many ways I was subject to feeling pressure to "achieve success" as defined by the world, or contemporary Christian culture. Consequently I was either falling short or in ways that were too subtle for my self-perception mechanism patting myself on the back.How wonderful to have Jesus Himself surface this! He saw it there all along. He has completely redefined success in my life! Success is KNOWING HIM! Knowing Christ in His death has become my joy! I used to think of knowing Him in His death as something somber, serious, sad, even morbid. But it was in His death on the Cross that Christ brought me into a place of permanent union with Himself. Wow! No darkness there! Only celebration and exploration!
10[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [[a]which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death . . . Phillipians 3:10 (Amplified Bible)
So much to know Jesus! I want to experience the full extent of this union with You! This is now the definition of success for me --- how much I can know and experience union with You! How deep can I go in oneness? Can I see what you are doing day by day? moment by moment? Can I hear you without being distracted by the people all around me? Can I know EXACTLY what and HOW you are doing something and do it right in sync with you? even in the mundane day to day activities of my life?
This is now worthy of all my focus - for You are my treasure, knowing You my very great reward!
