I once heard about an evangelist who went to measure the crusade tent of another healing evangelist in America and told his builders to erect something bigger. He thought he could do better. He died prematurely. What he failed to realise is that success is relative.
Friend, let God define success for you. Don’t put yourself under unnecessary pressure. Don’t also live below your capacity (Psalms 16:11). Success is not measured by what you do but by what you could do. It is living up to God’s expectation of your life (Acts 7:54-60, 26:19).
A pastor can lead a congregation of 400 people and be highly successful before God. Whereas, another pastor can lead a congregation of 400,000 people and has not even scratched the surface of the divine allocation to his destiny (Philippians 3:12-14).
If you measure yourself based on what someone else is doing, you will put yourself under unnecessary pressure (2 Corinthians 10:12). Goal setting is not just throwing numbers around. You need to set realistic goals commensurate with your current season and phase (Romans 12:3).
For some people, financial success this year could mean getting out of debt and fulfilling obligations. For others, it could mean injecting millions into their business. Don’t think you are a failure because you are not making money like others (Matthew 25:24-30).
Avoid comparison (Daniel 1:8). The fact that you pray for 3 hours daily when others barely pray for 30 minutes should not make you think the 3 hours is your best (1 Timothy 4:15). What will matter at the end is how well you maximized God’s investment in your life. That should be your goal. Keep pressing.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria