Success

Death is the Great Leveler of all men. Whether rich or poor, wise or foolish, powerful or weak, renowned or obscure--no one can rise above it, cheat it, or escape its eventual claim on his life.

Harry Ironside

Read

Today's Scripture is Ecclesiastes 2:12-26. What is the end result of our work under the sun? How do we find enjoyment in our labor? Where can we find meaning in our work?

Think

You might think that ministers have the corner on meaningful and fulfilling careers. After all, we spend our days serving others, studying the Bible, and teaching people how to know God and know Him more fully. And this work is extremely fulfilling. But as much as any other career you can choose, it is easy to view things "under the sun" and lose sight of what really matters in the world. I have to constantly remind myself that what I do will only have true, deep, and lasting meaning if God is at the center of it all.

It doesn't really matter what career we choose, the temptation is to build our own little kingdoms complete with serfs and subordinates where we can establish our reign and feel significant, even if only for a little while. And sometimes pastors/youth pastors are guilty of this more than others.

Solomon makes it clear that the best thing we can do is enjoy the fruit of our labor, and even this is a gift from God. Because even if we reach the top of our profession, making the highest salary and receiving the most awards, when we die, the next guy takes over and our work is soon forgotten. Not to mention that our fortune is passed to someone who will also die and be forgotten. So it is better to enjoy our work, to find our significance in how God views us, for only then will it all make any sense or have any meaning.

Our culture is a cotton-candy world--sugary and seductive--a pink swirl of empty calories. Today you might be the "flavor of the month," with Hollywood or Wall Street at your command. Tomorrow your pockets may be as empty as your soul.

David Jeremiah, Searching for Heaven on Earth

Pray

Thank God for creating us with such significance. Ask Him to keep your focus on Him, so that in everything you do, He is at the center, and He alone receives the glory.

Do

Write down the things that you care most about. Beside each one, write what gives these things significance in your life. How can you arrange things so that God will be at the center of your life?