Day 17  -  March 5

Rochelle Andrews

Reassess Success ~ Matthew 21:33-43

“I cannot believe I still have not achieved this goal.”  Have you ever found yourself saying this?  I had allowed myself to gauge my life by indicators of success that were not kingdom of God focused but, were instead theologically capitalistic success focused.  I realized that I needed to change my definition of success if I wanted to produce the fruits that Jesus mentioned in verse 43 of our reading.  As a child of God, I had somehow got it in my head that success meant big houses, cars, and a sense of fame.  I lost track of the fact that most prophets were despised in their times. Jesus was challenging the power structure of the church and they were not willing to accept the challenge.  He was showing them in this parable that they had a distorted sense of success, one bolstered by worldly power and riches.  Needless to say, the church powers were willing to destroy Him rather than change.

I thought I was seeking first the kingdom of God, but reading this passage reminded me that I needed to reassess my definition of success.  Whose principles am I upholding as I pursue success?   If Jesus came to me now and saw my fruit, would he take the kingdom from me or give it to me?   Houses become dilapidated, cars depreciate, and money devalues; but the kingdom of God shall stand forever.   That is the assessment of success that I am seeking!