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This morning we begin a series for these four Sunday’s in January  entitled “Christianity and the Real World.” In other words – topics which reflect something of the questions, the challenges and demands of living as a Christian in the world and society today.   The theme for today is “What is success?”   And I must admit that when I first began to think about this I thought it wouldn’t be too difficult to define it describe it, or how to attain it,  but the more I have thought about it, the more complex it has become.

And that’s true of  life in general , isn’t it?  Life is more difficult and complex than we often think.

So “What is Success”? One common view of success is that it all hinges around our possessions. If I own a lot of stuff  – and the more and the bigger the better – then I am regarded by many as being successful.

The danger is that we can fall victim too easily to  this view which measures success only in terms of material wealth. We can be sucked in to thinking that this is the measure of success;

The Christian walk says those things are not bad in themselves, but they can become a trap and a snare to the unsuspecting.  Like quicksand, the person who pursues these things as their goal and sign of success can easily become caught and bogged down in them, eventually leading to their own destruction.  

In the bible you may remember the parable Jesus told of the Rich Farmer who had had a bumper season. His barn was full to overflowing. But rather than share what he had with others, he chose to build a bigger barn – and his life became no doubt preoccupied with mortgages, building and expanding, to the neglect of his own soul.  Jesus’ commented on what a fool that man was.

A point to bear in mind is that you don’t actually have to have or own a lot to fall prey to this attitude. It is fed by the sin of covetousness and envy.

Another view of success is that which is wrapped around Fame – a craving for recognition and importance.  In the gospel reading today James and John the disciples of Jesus, (and their mother) – wanted this recognition. They wanted the important seats in the Kingdom.  Jesus turned their request on its head and said that importance comes through service.  The world, then, often sees success in terms of wealth or fame.  How do you see it?  What would success look like for you?

As I have thought about success, and questioned others on what they think about it, I have come to the conclusion that Success – what I would call TRUE success, is a combination of different factors.

1. Contentment.  If success is a continual drive to get more, or achieve more, then I personally think that measure of success is not worth having! Yet how many people do we see around us continually striving for more,  striving to get ahead, striving for what they call success, yet finding it just out of their reach and not a bit happy with what they are or what they have?  The bible talks about contentment with what we have as a sign of spiritual maturity. St.Paul says  ( 1Tim6:6) “there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment..”  Let me ask you a question – “Are you content with what you have, or are you being driven to earn more, acquire more, spend more – build bigger barns, or seek out higher places of fame or fortune? I think at the end of our days, our estimation of success will come down to how content we were with what we had, and how willing we were to give, not to gain. 

There is a delightful story about Pablo Picasso who once commented -“My mother said to me, ‘If you become a soldier, you'll be a general; if you become a monk, you'll end up as the Pope.’ Instead, he said - I became a painter, and wound up as Picasso.”  Perhaps our greatest success is that when we are content with who we are and offer who we are and what we are to God,   only then will we experiences some true measure of success and authentic recognition.

2. the second mark of success, I think,  though at first sight this might seem to be contradictory to that of contentment  is what I would call achievement. Now there’s nothing wrong with achievement, in fact, where would the world be if there had been no achievement by anyone?  But many people live a mediocre life, with making no difference in the world, and just going with the current and drifting along.  I think success requires some degree of achievement, some extent of energy expended for a positive and worthy cause or purpose or goal.  And success is what is felt when you achieve that goal.    The New Year’s Honours are an occasion when people in our community can be recognized for their achievements, and their contributions ,- so they can rightly be regarded as being successful in what they do. St. Paul was one who took his life and success seriously. In his call to be a follower of Jesus Christ Paul give it his all. “In a race, all runner compete, but only one wins the prize. Paul wanted to win, to achieve the goal of being the best disciple of Jesus he could be.

But I think there’s a lot more than just contentment and achievement which defines success.

3. the 3^rd mark of success is where a person lives their life according to God’s Purposes.  Those of you who were involved in the 40 Days of Purpose programme 3yrs ago, or just last year the 40 Days of Community, will remember that there was expounded the Five purposes which God has created us for.  We cannot be successful in God’s sight – if we have not fulfilled the purposes for which we were created.  Those five purposes are :- to Belong to the Christian family, to Worship together, to Serve one another, to Grow together in our spiritual life and to Reach out together to others.  I  need to be reminded of those often – that success is not just about achievement or contentment, but about actually fulfilling God’s purposes for my life.

Fulfilling God’s purpose for my life will also impact on my family’s life.- how I treat them, the time I give to them, the priority they have in my life. It will impact on my private life; my work life; my social life. Success is all about how I live my life, not so much to better myself but to serve and better others.

There is a piece of prose entitled “Success” which I have often read, which is attributed to R.L. Stevenson, though there is some uncertainty about its origins. “Success”. He says this:

“That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much;

Who has gained the respect of intelligent men, and the love of children;

Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;

Who leaves the world better than he found it,

Who has never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty, or failed to express it;

Who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had.” 

So how would I summarize Success?

Achievement, contentment, and fulfilling God’s Five purposes for my life.

But I think the ultimate success for each of us, would be one day to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant!”