Faith for Flourishing

We all seek success; but some of us include God in the effort. That doesn’t make us better than anyone (truthfully, we can be guilty of the religious pride that spoils a Godly life). The primary differences that emerge between the believers and the nonbelievers is in the manner of our “seeking.”

While both believers and nonbelievers engage in self-reflection and strive for authenticity, their thought processes and motivations are fundamentally different in their origin. For believers, seeking God’s favor means aligning their thoughts and actions with a divine design. For the nonbeliever, success is an exploration of willfulness.

Here are five acknowledgements that the believer accepts while pursuing success:

1. Divine Design:

Believers understand that God has created each person with a unique design and purpose. Rather than relying solely on self-discovery and personal desires, believers seek to understand and align themselves with God’s plan. They recognize the value of surrendering their own willfulness to embrace what God has ordained for them.

• Growing into Divine Potential:

With a focus on divine giftedness, believers strive to cultivate their potential according to God’s design. This involves a willingness to develop and use their talents and abilities for God’s glory, trusting that their true fulfillment lies in fulfilling their divine purpose.

• The Value of Surrender:

Believers view surrender as a virtue and a way to honor God. By relinquishing their own desires and aligning their lives with God’s will, they experience a deep sense of purpose, peace, and contentment. This surrender involves an acknowledgment that God’s plan surpasses their own limited understanding.

• Choosing God’s Plan Over Personal Wants:

Unlike nonbelievers who may prioritize personal desires and self-defined goals, believers prioritize what they believe is best for them according to God’s plan. They recognize that God’s intentions for their lives surpass their individual wants and trust that surrendering to God’s will leads to true fulfillment.

• Accomplishment as a Form of Worship:

Surrendering to God’s design and will is an emotional journey for believers. It requires letting go of personal agendas, relinquishing control, and trusting in God’s faithfulness. This emotional experience brings believers closer to God, deepening their faith and fostering a profound sense of belonging and purpose. There is no better word for this experience than worship.

Conclusion:

While nonbelievers may use similar language to describe their pursuit of self-discovery and fulfillment, the believer’s perspective offers a distinct approach. By valuing surrender over willfulness, believers choose to align their lives with God’s divine design. This orientation shapes their thoughts, actions, and emotional experiences, leading them to find true fulfillment and live out their divine giftedness. Surrendering to God’s plan allows believers to transcend their own desires and experience the profound joy that comes from walking in harmony with their Creator.