The Real Definition of Success

What if I would have gone to UGA when I got accepted instead of Shorter?

What if I had gone back to YWAM?

What if I had joined the IMB?

What if I had gone to school to be a lawyer?

Why didn't I stick with communications?

Should I become a teacher?

Should I have graduated early?

What if, should have, could have, would have. These are some of the questions that sometimes toss around in my mind. I ask myself, "why am I asking myself these questions?" Well, I feel that much of my questioning and wondering rather than contentment with where God currently has me is because of a desire for success. In my mind I have a long list of what I feel would make me successful: traveling the world, being a disney princess haha, moving to the beach, opening a coffee shop, if i had gone to UGA, if I moved with IMB for two years, if I had become a lawyer. However, the Lord has slowly been convicting my heart and pruning me as He has opened my eyes to the fact that I have been fixated on all the wrong things.

If you're like me, fresh out of college, maybe newly married, or currently in graduate school, working, just moved to a new place, maybe you're also experiencing similar feelings. Friend, I just want to come alongside you and let you know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I understand what you are going through, and even more than that, God understands what you are going through, He sympathizes with our weaknesses. Take heart and rest in the fact that God has you exactly where you are for a purpose and a plan far greater than you could hope for or imagine even if it does not make sense to you right now. GOD IS FOR YOU!

Numbers 6:24-26

24 The Lord bless you and keep you;25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;26 the Lord lift up his countenance[a] upon you and give you peace.

To continue, it can be so easy to fixa

te on all the things that did not happen rather than rejoicing in the wonderful things that God accomplished through you. I needed a major mindset shift. I was consumed with comparison and envy towards the people that were doing the things that I thought I was supposed to do. The Lord reminded me of Proverbs 19:21, which says,

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man,

   but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

I had so many plans for my life that yes, they were not inherently bad plans, they could even be said to be good plans, but they were not God's plans for my life. The Lord and Godly community reminded me to reflect on the things that the Lord is currently doing in my life rather than constantly comparing my life to others.

Romans 12:2 says,  "Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

I changed my heart posture and renewed my mindset to the following: Thank you God that I went to Shorter and got to cheer there for 4 years.

Thank you God that I got to do YWAM.

Thank you God that your plan was for me to get married young.

Thank you God that you have called me to be a counselor so that I can best serve your beloved children.

Thank you God that I was able to major in psychology and double minor in Spanish and Christian Studies.

Thank you Lord for the opportunity to graduate early so I could prepare for my wedding, moving, and graduate school.

I'm learning that gratitude changes everything. When I am grateful for what God has done, then I'm not worried about what I could've done. Did you notice the difference there, what GOD has done vs. what I could've done? He is in control of my life, directing my steps daily, and leading more all the more towards His will as I seek Him wholeheartedly && He wants the same for YOU!

My mom, husband, and sister have been especially helpful in this learning process I'm going through. They reminded me of the things that truly matter: eternity and eternal deposits. They reminded me that success cannot and must not be defined by earthly standards, but rather by the Bible. There is more to this life than the materials surrounding us. We are passing through this life and must remember that Heaven is our eternal home. I am reminded that my work place, graduate campus, neighborhood, church, errands, and more are all divine opportunities to love people to Jesus. My life does not belong to myself. I am not my own. There is more to life than my own plan, agenda, and self!

Success is measured by relationship with Christ, not earthly accomplishments.

• "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 

• "Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established." Proverbs 16:3 

• "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." This verse reminds believers to shift their focus from visible, earthly concerns to the invisible, eternal realities of God's kingdom." 2 Corinthians 4:18

• "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." This verse encourages believers to prioritize their thoughts and affections on heavenly things, where Christ is seated, rather than being consumed by earthly desires and pursuits." Colossians 3:2

PLS READ THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES!!!!!!!

Listen to "Meet Your Maker" by John Mark Pantana!

I love y'all and I'm praying for y'all! It is such a gift to journey through life alongside one another and help each other as we are pruned to better reflect our beautiful beloved Lord and Savior!