Terminal velocity? Yes. The definition of terminal velocity according to Collins English dictionary is the velocity of a missile or projectile when it reaches its target. We all know we’re going to die… or I like to refer to it as graduate… so this is the secret to a lifetime of success.
Every plan has its guidelines, and my secret to success is no exception.
1. The first secret to success is to give your heart to Jesus, for it is only by Jesus that anything good can ever come out of us. It isn’t that we are all that amazing or special, but what God has in mind for us will always come through the avenue of Jesus. We must walk his road. This is the first step, the foundation. If this never happens, true success will be elusive.
2. The next step is to throw away all your preconceived ideas of what being a Christian means. Steven Curtis Chapmen talks about “throwing away long faced religion” in his song, The Great Adventure. We have to redefine what we call Christianity and look and see what God says about it. Many believe that to be a true Christian you have to be solemn and glum. Certainly there are places for solemnity, but it’s a joyful solemnity that helps us realize what Jesus did for us. When we live the abundant life Jesus promised, we see that even the every day is an adventure.
Now, I’m not talking about prosperity doctrine, for that is a lie straight from hell. Prosperity doctrine says that if you have enough faith, you’ll be rich and healthy all your life. Well, that doesn’t make much sense because people die. That’s hardly staying healthy. What I’m talking about transcends wealth as defined by the dictionary, or what most people talk about as wealth. The true wealth isn’t seen in a nice house, fast car and comfortable living. True wealth takes a person through such events that no amount of money can prevent or fix.
Is there sickness?
God’s wealth and success last even in sickness.
Is there poverty?
Joy in the Lord comes in spite of poverty.
Do those around you ridicule you?
Jesus stands beside you, and if you are his there is no condemnation in Jesus at all.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8:1&version=NKJV
There are many examples in the Bible of people who did amazing things because they trusted in the Lord. Jonathan believed God for success when he told his armor bearer that it doesn’t matter to God whether there are many or few who believe him, he can bring salvation in any way he desires. You can read his story here.
Then there’s Israel’s most famous king. David knew the source of his strength. He wrote Psalms 18, and especially verse 28-34.
It wasn’t just kings or kings’ sons that knew the power of God. The Bible records two stories of mighty men who believed God’s promises. One was able to defeat 300 men singlehandedly. Another could claim as part of his exploits that he went into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. And of course, the prophet Daniel tells us that the people who know God will also be strong and carry out great exploits.
Now, before we can go on, we have to remind ourselves that God’s definition of success is nothing like ours.
When we trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding, when we acknowledge him in all our ways, he tells us the way to go.
When we give him all our desires, even so far as to say, Lord, I lay them at your feet. Do with them as you will, one of two things will happen. Either the Lord will bless you by giving those desires back to you in a way they will explode into something beyond your imagination, or he will give you something that replaces them exceeding what you ever thought possible.
But you must submit to him. If you’re not a follower of Jesus, a Christian, give your heart, soul and mind to him. He will show you the way to go from there. If you are a Christian, saturate yourself in his word and ask him to show you what he wants for your life.
Whether you’ve just become a Christian or have been a Christian for many years, it is imperative that you spend time praying and reading God’s word. As you do this more and more, and seek to strengthen your relationship with God, he will give you the desires of your heart, whether they’re your original desires or new desires that you find are your true desires.
If you follow these guidelines, you will find that when you lay your head down for the last time, and wake in the Kingdom of Heaven, that your life was like a meteor and not a life of mediocrity.