Intro...
By Netisha Alie
There are at least 5 major religions in this world and in spite of whatever anyone chooses to believe, you could be successful because God allowed you to be without even knowing or admitting it.
I was posed with the question once; "What is your take on people who do not conform to any specific religion (Christianity) but are still successful?" Now unless I misunderstood this question, I interpret it to mean that one can succeed without all the trust and belief in GOD. Embracing this 'mind tickling' question, I set out to do some research, and interviews to ensure that I presented this one as objectively as possible. For though I love my God and would love to share Him with everyone else, I do understand that not everyone has the same beliefs and so I respect them. With that a few angles had to be examined in putting this piece together.
Major world Religions and why people indulge in such practices!
Firstly, I went on to find the five (5) major religions in the world and the sole belief that governs each so as to present the variety in mankind’s realities. In brief, these religions include:
1.Hindus acknowledge multitudes of gods and goddesses.
2.Buddhists say there is no deity, but aspire to live like Buddha who seems to have accomplished 'ultimate living.'
3.New Age Spirituality followers believe they are God.
4.Muslims believe in a powerful but unknowable God.
5.Christians believe a loving God who created us to know him. (Marilyn Adamson, Connecting with the Divine)
These and all other belief systems/religions are working towards one problem in humanity: our awareness of our personal failings and need to be better. - Our need to be at peace, fulfilled, self-actualization- "successful!" Then there are those, especially the contemporary ones, who also make true the scripture that says; "Having a form of godliness, but denying it's power..." 2 Timothy 3:5
Such are the ones who believe that they and only they are responsible for their success.
Success Defined!
So what is success and how can one know that they are actually "successful?" Defining such a word is no easy task due its complexity and multiple versions. However an attempt was made.
The word success originates from the Latin word successus, from the verb succeeder which means to ‘come close after.' It is then followed by various meanings such as
1. General Google web definition: " the accomplishment of an aim or purpose"
2. Miriam Webster Dictionary: "favorable or desired outcome; also: the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence
3. My personal favorite: "If you believe success is simply making (of having) a lot of money, you may be setting yourself up for failure." Geoffrey James, inc.com
4. Never measure your success by the amount of people around you who haven’t made it. Measure your success by the amount of people you have impacted to live their dreams. – Vusi Thembekwayo and the list goes on.
Thus, there are many quotes and definitions that present an explanation of success.
Can one consider himself successful if he only accomplished a goal but was unable to maintain it? Is success a one-time accomplishment or is it an ongoing process?
Therefore success for some could be attaining large amounts of money and luxuries while for others it is peace of mind and happiness, helping others to accomplish their goals, living a dream… The definition remains more personal than general.
The pursuit to Success
Most people set out each day on a quest to achieve success. Competing with each other, neglecting personal relations and family and most of all "burning" valuable time. Steve Jobs, Apple’s Co-founder, is one of those who recognized this a tad bit too late when he gave his final words: the "non-stop pursuit of wealth will only turn a person into a twisted being, just like me." Success is an aim, an achievement that many aspire to hold in their hands. -Whether it is coming first place in a race, graduating top in class, owning a multi billion dollar company or finally figuring out how to maneuver around the Internet.
However, anyone who has considered themselves successful will tell you it comes at a cost. And while there are people in this life who believe they are superhuman and can absolutely accomplish their definition of success in "solo-mode," many will agree that it is simply NOT POSSIBLE to do it alone and with your own strength.
The mantra that people, non-believers alike, use to attain success is actually rooted in the bible and they most likely do not even know or believe it. Let's see:
To be successful you need to be persistent: The Persistent Widow Luke 18:1-8, Galatians 6:9 Do not grow weary...for in due season you'll reap...
To be successful you have to put in the work: The Parable of the Talents Matthew 25:14-30, Galatians 6:7 “…whatever a man sew, so shall he reap”
To be successful you have to pay the cost: The ultimate example-To save the world Jesus was allowed by God to be tempted, suffer and crucified- a price for victory, Genesis 2:15, 2 Timothy 2:6, Proverbs 12:24 & 14:23…
To be successful you need confidence and faith: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, Phillippians 4:13, Hebrews 11:1, mark 5:34 How many times is Faith pointed out in the bible! Even the Secret preaches Faith: visualize, see it, feel it, receive it even when you don't see it...
To be successful you need support: God says my grace is sufficient, 2 Corinthians 12:9, He also says I will never leave you nor forsake you Deuteronomy 31:6, So they signaled their 'PARTNERS' in the other boat to come help them... Luke 5:7
To be successful you need to maintain your achievements lest you be called a ‘one hit wonder’ Luke 6:38 “give and it will come back to you…” perhaps that’s a reason so many give back to charity so they can continue to have!
To be successful, one must have specific qualities and attributes, mindsets and character traits.
Thus since man was created in the image and likeness of God: "Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
So you see you were created to be successful by God. It is His divine plan for you from the get go. Out of millions of sperms you were the one to 'successfully' get to the egg. So are you really successful without God or His presence, which mankind practices through religion?
Just in case you still believe you are I'll leave you with one last point.
To be successful you must first be alive and in good health, God is the giver and sustainer of life; Genesis 2:7 "Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."
If He does not bless you with it in the first place you will have no life to even be successful.
Hence unless one is tapping into evil forces for help with their success, it is actually a gift to be received from God.
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