How do you define being successful? By your education? Your zip code? The kind of car you drive? Where you shop? The brand of clothing you wear? Or perhaps who you know or who knows you? If you responded positive to any of those questions, it tells me you are defining yourself as being successful by what you have accomplished, by your tenacity. In reality, being successful has little or nothing to do with you.
Can you surpass Mary, the mother of Jesus? She was the most successful person ever recorded in world history? She received God’s revelation of her value to Him and what His purpose was for choosing her to impact the world. She was only required to listen, agree to God’s plan for her and rest in the way he would order her footsteps unto her destiny. She simply responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be done to me according to your word” [Luke 1:38]. God’s favor flowed into her life every day in a new and fresh way. Joseph, her fiancé was her covering.
As a pregnant woman, Mary had no chauffeur driven limousine, taxi cab, care ride, medic air lift helicopter, bus or bicycle to transport her when she was ordained to go back home. Instead, she rode on a donkey over a mostly rugged hilly terrain. At the end of her tedious journey, she had no comforts of a penthouse, motel or guest room in someone else’s home to rest while she gave birth to her baby boy.
However, to us a child was born, a son given, and the government rests on his shoulders. He’s called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace [Isaiah 9:6]. They named him Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, “God with us” [Matthew 1:23]. Mary was very successful in spite of herself. One teenage girl’s obedience ushered into the earth God’s dispensation of grace, joy, peace and goodwill that’s accessible to everyone. Now, tell me again how do you define your being successful?
Being the mother of an adult son and experiencing the joy that accomplishes an obedient heart; Mary was qualified to stand sure-footed in the wedding feast at Cana. Confidently she instructed all those who followed her son how to be successful in spite of themselves, saying: “do whatever Jesus tells you to do” [Luke 2:12]. They obeyed her and everyone was blessed. Why? Because in the beginning was the Word. Not your I.Q. Not what you feel or what you desire. The Word was with God and the Word was God. God’s word became flesh and walked among His own people and they didn’t receive him [John 1:1]. In the beginning God’s word created the heavens and the earth [Genesis 1:1].
In order to be successful in this life and the next, you must hear, receive, agree and submit to who God have created you to be. His predestined purpose, plan and pathway your journey will take you for his good pleasure shall make you successful in spite of yourself. The LORD God will never leave nor forsake you. He will fight your enemies for you. He will bless and establish you. The Lord will open the heavens and send blessing on everything you put your hands to do [Deuteronomy 28:1-2].
He will order his angels to protect you wherever you go [Psalm 91:11]. God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, you’ll have everything you need, you will abound in every good work with or without money [Isaiah 55:1 -2 Corinthians 9:8]. God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus [Philippians 4:19] God is able to immeasurably do more than all we ask or imagine, according to his powerful Holy Spirit, when he’s at work within us [Ephesians 3:20].
Yes you can be very successful in spite of yourself. Determine to totally trust and obey God’s will. Acknowledge Him in everything. God’s Word is forever established in the heavens. He does not change. Jesus, God’s Word is the same yesterday, today and forever [Hebrews 13:8]. Before, the beginning God’s will has always been for the earth to become the suburb of heaven.
