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Key Bible Verse: Our goal is to stay within the boundaries of God's plan for us (2 Corinthians 10:13).Bonus Reading: James 4:13-16

I recently heard an interview with a football player ready to start the NFL season. He said, "Anything short of winning the Super Bowl will be considered a failure."

Hmmm. That's all well and good, but what about the successes along the way? What about the relationships that he could enjoy, the people he could help, the honor he could bring to God by being a good man instead of just being a good athlete?

This NFL player probably made his coach and team owner happy by thinking this way. But when the season is over and he looks at himself in the mirror, he's probably still asking himself, "Why am I here?"

We're not in control of the outcome; God is. So why do we base our success on something that isn't in our control? Why do we allow some other person to dictate our success? Why do we allow some goal to determine our joy?

Unless we surrender the outcome to God, the goal will become our god, and we will bow down to that.

God designed you to live fully and to celebrate life regardless of your circumstances. Part of success is surrendering the outcome to God and being content that God has you exactly where He wants you.

—Larry Julian in God Is My Success

My Response: How could I focus less on career goals and, instead, celebrate more little successes along the way?

Thought to Apply: To find his place and fill it is success for a man.—PHILLIPS BROOKS (New England minister)

Adapted from God Is My Success (Warner Faith, 2005) by permission.

Copyright © 2006 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

I realize, Lord, that I can only become a success in Your eyes if I understand what true success looks like. Please show me.

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