Christian success is possible in any context. Christian success is successful spirituality as well as successful living. Being a Christian does not mean we are less capable, it means we are more capable. Holy and upwardly mobile are not incongruent. Spiritual passion and emotional balance are not antagonists. Successful Christianity isn’t how far from the world I am, but how well I live for God “in this present world” (Titus 2:11)
To succeed, the Christian needs to have well-developed life systems. Like a submarine has many systems that are interrelated and dependent, the Christian has many life systems that enable him or her to make wise choices, avoid sin, develop relationships, overcome doubt, et al. What is a submarine worth that can navigate and shoot, but cannot filtrate its air underwater? What is a submarine worth that can filtrate air underwater, but cannot find its way around the underwater world? Likewise, how successful is a Christian who avoids sin, but cannot relate to anyone around them or who has a great career, but is incapable of being used by God in the moment? Successful Christianity comes through the ability to exercise control, manage, and navigate life with life systems that are ready.
The following is a list of life systems worth developing. Without them, we are liable to spend our life circling aimlessly, choking on the pollution of pitiful thinking, or being crushed by the pressure of the world around us…
· Developing/maintaining relationships
· The capacity to communicate effectively
· A reliable decision making process
· Effective coping mechanisms
· An accurate world view
· The discipline of spirituality
· Upward career path
· The ability to select and benefit from influencers
· The ability to filter information streams
· The capacity to think critically
· Maintaining the right positioning
· 3D vision – hindsight, insight, and foresight
· Financial stewardship
To succeed, the Christian needs to have well-developed life systems. Like a submarine has many systems that are interrelated and dependent, the Christian has many life systems that enable him or her to make wise choices, avoid sin, develop relationships, overcome doubt, et al. What is a submarine worth that can navigate and shoot, but cannot filtrate its air underwater? What is a submarine worth that can filtrate air underwater, but cannot find its way around the underwater world? Likewise, how successful is a Christian who avoids sin, but cannot relate to anyone around them or who has a great career, but is incapable of being used by God in the moment? Successful Christianity comes through the ability to exercise control, manage, and navigate life with life systems that are ready.
The following is a list of life systems worth developing. Without them, we are liable to spend our life circling aimlessly, choking on the pollution of pitiful thinking, or being crushed by the pressure of the world around us…
· Developing/maintaining relationships
· The capacity to communicate effectively
· A reliable decision making process
· Effective coping mechanisms
· An accurate world view
· The discipline of spirituality
· Upward career path
· The ability to select and benefit from influencers
· The ability to filter information streams
· The capacity to think critically
· Maintaining the right positioning
· 3D vision – hindsight, insight, and foresight
· Financial stewardship
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