At the start of the year, I decided to start a podcast despite my doubts and excuses, trusting that God would provide the help I needed, and through obedience, I learned that success is measured by humble actions and gratitude, not popularity or outcomes.
I felt motivated to start a podcast at the beginning of this year. This idea was something I had toyed with in my mind for a couple of years. However, I made lots of excuses:
I don't know how to edit a podcast.
It's too time-consuming. I don't have the time.
What if no one listens?
I promised the Lord that if he provided me with someone who could help me with the editing portion of the podcast, I would be obedient and start one. Sure enough, God gave me a wonderful young woman who helps me with many aspects of my ministry, including my podcast.
Although the total number of downloads was low, it was successful because I was obedient and humbly acted based on what I felt in my spirit.
While the world measures success through popularity, the amount of money we have, or the number of followers on our social media pages, God measures it by a completely different standard. Our humble obedience and baby steps of action measure whether we are truly successful in life. Here's how I learned that humble patience is the highest position in life:
I Assumed a Posture of Humility
God honors humility. Although the world would delight in us putting on a false sense of humility, our actions are often fueled by pride. Even the godliest act can be done to gain popularity, money, or power. Throughout the Bible, many people, through their humble acts of obedience, were measured of great worth in God's sight.
Moses began his life as a baby, fleeing immense persecution. An orphan, he was raised by a woman who took pity on him and found him in the river in a basket. He grew up to take the Israelites to the promised land.
David started as a lowly shepherd in the field. No one had him on their radar to be king. However, God elevated David to the king because God looked at what was in his heart. Joseph started off being sold into slavery by his family members. He was then falsely accused and imprisoned. But because of his humble perseverance, he was appointed king and helped the people survive a horrible famine. He also demonstrated God's love and forgiveness by forgiving these brothers after they approached him about helping them during the famine.
God wants us to assume a posture of humility in everything we do. Whether we are the CEO of a great company or a person working for minimum wage, he wants us to do everything as an act of worship to him. God raises those to a higher position when he feels appropriate.
My Work is An Act of Worship
When I began my podcast, people asked me how many downloads I had. I immediately answered them and let them know that the download amount didn't matter regarding active obedience. I reminded them that it had nothing to do with popularity but instead with obedience.
The more I obey God's promptings, the more territory he will give me. He will enlarge my territory as he sees fit. Whenever I write a book, do a podcast episode, or speak for an event, I consider it an act of worship. This is how I can proclaim the gospel and disciple others into deeper maturity.
Our work, no matter what we do, is an act of worship to the Lord. Whether our career centers around making disciples in a church setting, writing Christ-centered material, or whether someone is in a secular situation, each day is an opportunity to worship the Lord. Instead of coveting other positions that appeared more prominent or popular, I realized that God gave me this opportunity to worship him.
When I choose to maintain peace in a relationship fraught with conflict, I worship God. When I am honest in everything I do, I worship God. Every opportunity is an opportunity to worship side. It just depends on my reaction to it.
The better job that I do, the better the worship. I can choose to act haphazardly with every action. But God wants me to put 100 percent of myself into everything I do. Even if no one listens to the podcast, reads the book, or changes because of advice, it is my opportunity to worship the Lord. Everything I do should reflect to God. The light should not be on myself but instead on what God is doing in my life,
I Express Gratitude
I am constantly reminded of the posture of gratitude Jesus assumed throughout his ministry. Every time we celebrate Easter, I am reminded of God's appreciation as I reflect on the Last Supper. Jesus could have been anywhere at any time, yet he chose to spend the rest of his days on this earth eating and fellowshipping with his brothers in Christ. His recorded words in that passage are lifting the bread and cup to guide and giving thanks.
It amazes me that Jesus could find it in his heart to be grateful for what he knew would happen to him in just a short time. He also did this in the presence of Judas, who he knew had sold him out and initiated his crucifixion. I can react to every situation in my life with gratitude. Instead of complaining to God, I can express thankfulness for my situation and his presence in my life. Instead of worrying about the outcome, I can focus on God's presence and know I'm never alone.
When I shift my perspective from discontentment to gratitude, I assume the humble, obedient posture God wants for me. Gratitude is the antidote to any negative emotion we feel. It is impossible to be angry at others and discontent with life when expressing gratitude for everything we have. By practicing counting my blessings each day, I find there's always something to be grateful for.
Even the most minor things, like clothes on my back or a roof over my head, I can be thankful that God has provided them for me. When I'm discontent, I focus on myself rather than what God is doing. Even in the worst situation, I can be grateful that God cares enough about my character and soul to transform me through humble correction and general rebuke.
I Remember Who I Am
Lastly, I remember who I am and who God is. An indicator of pride in my life is when I see myself as better than others. When I switch my perspective and realize that I am one piece of a big puzzle, I know that humble obedience is the only posture I can take. It becomes an issue when I feel I'm excelling at life. God gives me the ability to excel. Nothing else matters.
There's nothing I can do or not do to assume this success. God chooses whom he wants to elevate and who he decides to lower in life. When I remember that I am his child and have no reason to be prideful, I keep my humble obedience in check.
Every step of obedience, no matter how small, glorifies God. God honors me with more opportunities when I honor what he asks. He has enlarged my territory in ways I never thought possible because of my obedience to the small things, and obedience means life. When I remain content with even the smallest gesture, I may feel small in life, but I am big in God's economy.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Suwaree Tangbovornpichet
