True Success

When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.

When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

-Proverbs 28:12

This is a picture of the effect we can have on people around us every day. We can make people happy or sad.

No matter where you find yourself - working as a waitress, or a nurse, at Walmart, or in your own home, you can be a blessing. You can be the fragrance of Christ, even in the midst of a worldly atmosphere.

In Genesis 39:3-4, we read about Joseph. "When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success. . . Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned" (NIV). Here we see Potiphar had found someone who worked hard and whom he could trust. Joseph was put in charge of other servants. I'm sure these servants were glad as well, because Joseph, being a man of integrity, was surely a good boss.

The wicked, however, have a different effect on those around them. The definition of wicked in this verse is "one who sins against God and man." These kind of people cannot be trusted. When a wicked person is in charge, things will probably not be fair. People will be treated harshly or rudely. There is insecurity.

The true test of real success is whether those around us are blessed because we are a blessing.

Live it out!

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These principles definitely need to be applied to our place of influence in our homes. Motherhood, marriage, homemaking, missions and ministry are often seen as lower levels of success. Climbing the corporate ladder and having a job title might seem to carry more influence and prestige. But nothing really matters that doesn't have eternal value. Romans 12:1-2 sets our sights on success that never fades: "And so, dear. . . sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. . . Let them be a living and holy sacrifice. . . Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect" (NLT).

-The One Year Wisdom for Women Devotional; by Debbi Bryson; November 24; p. 343

I really loved the idea of being the "fragrance of Christ" to those around us. It can be done in simple ways  - like saying please and thank you to the server at the restaurant, letting someone with fewer groceries go ahead of you in line, making sure your husband has clean socks in his drawer, or taking the time to sit on your child's bed and listen to them at bedtime. Our world promotes self-centeredness, focusing on making sure that our own needs are met. But Christ gives us the opposite example - to think of others as more improtant than ourselves. Taking the time to speak and act with love by being kind, patient, polite, and easy-going will bless those around us. When we act irritated, grumble and complain and snap at our husband and children, we only leave them feeling wounded. I desire our home to be a place my husband looks forward to coming home to each night and a place my kids will remember as being a peaceful place full of love where they felt valued and cherished. I pray I can be a blessing.