Don't write to tell me I misspelled succcccess. I did it on purpose because this week I want to start a series on the five c's in succcccess. Since success only has two, I thought I would add three more for effect. So without further ado, let me spell out for you those five c's.
THE FIRST THREE
I am currently co-teaching a class on "A Love and Theology for the City" and I was discussing with the students what it takes to launch and sustain succcccessful initiatives in poor areas. The longer I thought about it, I realized that what it takes to succccceed in urban work and ministry is the same as what it takes to be succcccessful in any other area as well. Armed with that conclusion, let's dive into the first three c's.
1. Curiosity. If you want to know where to start in your quest for purposeful succcccess, start with your curiosity. Answer the question, "What interests you?" and then follow the answers. Too often you may try to "figure out" how you can make money from that interest and, if you can't see how, you abandon your interests. You must be careful not to do that. Follow your interests and see where they lead you. God can take some of the simplest things and help you turn them into a business, organization, or project that will bless or edify others.
2. Creativity. I have written extensively on creativity and you can read some of what I have written here. Suffice it to say here that you were created by the Creator in His image, which is to be creative. There is no end of your ability to be creative as you express your life experience as seen through your eyes. Adam named all the animals in the Garden and he used his God-given creativity to do so. What assignment has God given you that require you to do the same?
3. Competence. God does not promote people with potential. He promotes those who have developed their potential. You need to become the best you that you can be, and that will require work, training, education, apprenticeship, spiritual disciplines and godliness. There are no shortcuts to obtaining any of those aspects of life, so don't even look for them. There is only one way to develop yourself and that is to invest time, money and effort into becoming more effective tomorrow than you are today.
THE LAST TWO
Now let's look at the last two c's in succcccess.
4. Collaboration. You will need to team and partner with other people if you are going to make a major impact in your life's work. You can't do it all. Rather you must do what you do best and team with others who do what they do best that will contribute to the overall effort. What's more, you must know your own strengths and weaknesses and understand how your personality and characteristics will best mesh (or cause some friction) with others.
5. Commitment. You will be tested in your resolve to finish the task at hand. God will use your failures and setbacks to conform you to Christ's image. If you faint in the heat of the day, you will not be able to achieve your dreams or fulfill your purpose. Winston Churchill once addressed an audience of youth and he said, "Never, never, never, never, never give up." Then he sat down. That's all he said, but it was great advice. As long as you have breath, stay the course.
There you have the five keys to succcccess. We will take a closer look at each one over the next five weeks and learn how to apply and develop them all in your life. I have not included any Bible verses this week but don't worry, there will be plenty in the weeks to come. In the meantime, meditate on these five concepts and, while you are doing so, have a great week!
You can respond to this entry on the site where it is posted.
*****************************
KENYA UPDATE: We have secured space for one of the libraries in Kenya! There's no turning back now. Read Pastor Peter's thank you here and then give generously to The Big Blessing project that is desgned to raise money for food, books, and jobs in Kenya. You can send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882 or give through Paypal on my website. $280 came in last week, so we are off to a great start.
thanks Dr. J, for the good word today...never never never give up!
Posted by: Kim | October 10, 2011 at 03:17 PM