Ignatius Loyola prayed, ‘Teach us, Lord, to serve you as you deserve, to give and not count the cost, to fight and not heed the wounds, to toil and not seek for rest, to labor and not ask for any reward save that of knowing we do your will.’
Success is knowing and doing God’s will for your life. Here are four laws that govern it.
First, be clear about the cost. For everything you gain, you give up something. How much are you willing to sacrifice for your dream? Your answer will determine your future. Sometimes the greatest obstacle to tomorrow’s success is today’s success. Paul writes, ‘What happens when we live God’s way, we find ourselves able to marshal and direct our energies wisely’ (Galatians 5:22-23 TM).
Second, focus like a laser. Chart a detailed course and establish deadlines. List the things you need to do each day, set regular checkpoints, and when necessary be accountable to someone. ‘Walk making the most of your time’ (Ephesians 5:15-16 NAS).
Third, see yourself achieving it. Maureen Dowd says, ‘The minute you settle for less, you get less than you settled for.’ The Bible says that God ‘calls those things which do not exist as though they did’ (Romans 4:17 NKJV). So start to think now like the person you expect to be then!
Finally, keep learning. Look for opportunities to learn. Paul told Timothy, ‘Give attention to reading’ (1 Timothy 4:13 NKJV). The person who won’t read is more to be pitied than the person who can’t read. Meditate constantly on God’s laws and you will succeed in whatever you do (Joshua 1:8).
