Success - Not Always Successful

Just like many of you regularly read the blog of this Christian preacher, one of my regular reads on the net is Saman Sadeghi’s personal blog. If I remember correctly, I came across his blog because he left a comment on my blog. If you’re interested in hacking up Windows XP, then Samanathon.com is the place to go.

However, by far the most impressive aspect of Saman’s blog, is its community spirit. Saman works tirelessly at providing ways of building on the interactive aspect of blogging, and he has had considerable success in a relatively short period of time. I really wish more bloggers had the same attitude to blogging as he does, their blogs would be a lot more beneficial.

Anyway, my reason for writing is due to a quote I read on his blog just a few moments ago. Saman runs a ‘Random Quote’ plugin, and on my last visit it was a quote by Bill Gates that provoked thought,


“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.”

Hmmm…isn’t that a word for a young preacher? There definately can be negative effects to success, especially if it comes easily. God knows how easily his creatures (humans) get puffed up, which is no doubt why the Lord Jesus taught the parable of the Unjust Judge (Luke 18).

Success is a strange thing, isn’t it? So many of us become enslaved by success in some way or another. Whether it’s a hunger in God’s work, business, career, finance, recognition, relationships, family, hobbies, or even getting through the tasks of each day. Strangely though, ’success’ cannot be determined in this life at all. Truly, the only One that can determine success is God, and that will not be revealed until our labours go through the fire of God’s judgement.

Maybe you think I’m wrong. Do you think success can be determined in this life, if even in a small way?

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Added Commentary

  • #1 of 3
    By Taleen
    on 29.03.07

    I understand that our successes in this life may mean nothing when we pass on, however I do wish for a certain amount of success….success as an OT, success in my therapy interventions, success with th etreatment of my clients….success in various areas of my life. Yea, I do want success in many ways!

  • #2 of 3
    By Saman Sadeghi
    on 30.03.07

    Thanks for the link Armen! If it were not for my regular readers, like yourself, I would be talking to myself! ;)

  • #3 of 3
    By Armen
    on 30.03.07

    Taleen - The interesting thing is though, you may become the most ’successful’ OT ever, and yet all your efforts will burn up as wood, hay and stubble because you never truly laboured in a way that honoured the Lord. That’s the point I’m getting at.

    Saman - No problem Saman. Just try to keep it clean and I’ll keep visiting ;)

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