Monday’s thoughts
“When Success Fails Us”
The Christian Church today struggles with the meaning of success. Joel Osteen is a preacher in Houston, Texas. He preaches a message week after week telling people God wants people to be successful. Other preachers are critical of Reverend Osteen. He has built his congregation to become one of the largest churches in the country. He has become what he preaches. He is successful. He if very successful.
Does the Gospel have room in it for success? Are we called by God to be successful? If not, are we consigned to fail? Does the Gospel redefine success and failure?
The sermon this week will take a look at “The fear of failure” and the “fear of success”. The purpose of the sermon will seek to find some answer to the question of our goal as Christians.
I could use some help on this one because I think the solution is not clear. There is something repulsive in the idea that God wants us to find material success and yet does God want us to fail?
I think the direction I will take is to search out people we might consider successful and explore the reason why we think that of them. I will be thinking about Biblical characters as well.
Who do you know who is successful in a way you think appropriate? Write me at my email address which is charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response click on the ‘comments’ box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
