Success is an intoxicating thing. Anytime we have worked long and hard to achieve something and then gain the recognition or attention for that thing it is a satisfying moment. All of the hard work, preparation, sacrifice etc. that we put into that moment feels worth it.

Success is also a dangerous thing. As a follower of Jesus I often forget in moments of success to recognise that although I was involved and worked hard, that God is the one that gives me the ability to see any of it. I am aware that often the more success that I get the less likely I will trust God with the next bit.

That statement sounds counter intuitive. If He was the one that brought that success then why wouldn’t I trust Him with the next bit? What I’ve learnt is that when the stakes are higher I too often trust myself more than God to manage it. When it was small there was less to lose so it was easier to trust Him.

Ouch, the truth hurts – Sorry Lord.

Today I was reading the book of Deuteronomy in the Bible. It’s a section where Moses is talking to the children of Israel about their arrival into the Promised Land. Moses knew that the Land they would be coming into would be a fruitful place and that the people would find success there. Moses knew that there would be dangers associated with this kind of success so he tells them this.

When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. Deuteronomy 6:10-12

This is so helpful and it’s something I should do to myself. The reminder that God is the one who brings us success, the understanding that He is the one who opens the doors, the knowledge He is the one who provides helps us to allow God to be God and us to be us.

Ultimately the Israelites fail to recognise this truth over their time in the Promised Land. The pride that exists in the human spirit wins out time and time again and they fail, with some exceptions, to recognise Gods sovereignty and provision.

So what does that mean for us?

It’s not that God doesn’t want success for us. It’s not that He needs all the accolades so He stops us having them. He wants us to experience the more and the fullness that He has for us, but He is also aware of our inability to handle that amount of favour. We would do well to build practises into our lives that continue to give God the glory in our moments of success. Whether our lives are in failure or success God must be first, He must be praised.

I would much rather have success in my life than failure but if that success leads me to failure then I am a fool!!!