After six years of church ministry in our city, one statement from my spiritual father that played out for us was this; “Never conclude yet that your ministry or business has failed until you have deposited a minimum of six years of unbroken commitment. Most times, real success or progress would be seen after those years.” I had to put a call through that year to appreciate him for the perspective he supplied us early enough. I learnt that success is a journey.
Friend, success is journey, not a destination. Never conclude that you have failed until you have put the right labour and consistency into your craft (Acts 26:22). Most of what we call failure today is simply success stopped midway. A lot of people give up too soon when the real success is still ahead. This is why your perspective must be right (Hebrews 12:2).
When you think of success, always think long term. Those who think short term easily give in to discouragement or an arrival mentality (Philippians 3:12-14). If you think you have achieved all your plans or visions for life, it means you dreamt too small. Thinking long term would help you to prepare for the long haul. You won’t celebrate success too soon, and you won’t conclude on failure too early.
Whether you are into business, ministry or career, you need to put in at least six years of unbroken commitment if you hope to achieve real and lasting success (Hebrews 6:12, 10:35-39). Unfortunately, not many people are willing and ready to stay on their craft for that number of years. A lot of people want instant success. They often think that if it does not deliver in 6 months or 2-3 years, it is not worth it. This is not true.
You must be ready to go all the way. If you are not ready to commit your all and for long on any enterprise, it is not worth getting involved with (Luke 9:62). Don’t start a business that you are not willing and ready to keep at until it succeeds. Don’t start a ministry or church if you are not ready to go all the way. Most people are frustrated in life and ministry today because they expect success too soon (Habakkuk 2:1-4).
What are you doing at the moment? What line of career, business, or ministry are you currently in? How many years have you put into it? How many years are you ready to put into it (Acts 26:19)? Most big brands and ministries did not start yesterday. Behind the huge success are years and decades of consistency and focus (Proverbs 22:29). Rather than just wishing to make it big, why not plan to commit big?
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria