"Success" vs Endurance

Scripture Verse that Caught my attention today: Revelation 13:10c Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.

Observation: Why do we humans so often equate things going well with success?

Application: Even though I picked a portion of a verse from Revelation today, I was actually struck by the three chapters of Jeremiah that I also read today. There we read the account of people supposedly sincerely asking the prophet Jeremiah for a word of advice from the Lord in terms of what they should do now that they were facing dire straights. But when Jeremiah delivers the Word, they don’t believe it and accuse him of lying. Instead they reflected on when things were going well in their life and began to defiantly pick up the practices they did in those times again.

I’ve mentioned before that I’m working my way through a book called “How the Mighty Fall: And Why Some Companies Never Give In” by Jim Collins. In a narrow sense, he advocates the same philosophy—build on what works or has worked. Consider that to be your main ‘flywheel.’ Experiment in other areas, but always keep enough energy on your main flywheel so that it continues to function well.

There is much truth to his philosophy, especially in terms of practicality. But there also comes a point when one has to consider whether even the main flywheel, that which has brought us much “success,” is a wholesome endeavor. And was it ‘successful’ because it was so good, or was it simply a case of being in the right place at the right time, etc.?

Revelation 13:10c is just a phrase, only a portion of a verse. But it speaks volumes. In fact, it’s a recurring theme throughout the book of Revelation. Things may not be easy. We might not experience a worldly measure of ‘success.’ But we are still called to have endurance and faith in the One who is trustworthy and true.

This is not to say that we should automatically see our plight at any particular time as divine confirmation of our rightness. But it is to say that, with a Godly measure of endurance and faith, we can fully engage in the struggle—both within and without—till we someday hear the final trumpet blast.

Prayer: Lord, I’m becoming more and more convinced that we are not called to be right or to see ourselves as such. But rather to simply trust in your ability to someday make all things right. But does that mean that, ironically, I’m still starting to see myself as right? Oh my…the power of sin is ever so close! Save us from it all…in Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Scripture readings today included: Jeremiah 42-44, Psalm 48, Revelation 13)