Success lies in obedience

Perceptions of success:

Is it what has been achieved or who did it best?

Does the direction taken matter?

Or who had the greatest guess?

Does effort guarantee it?

Or does public opinion make it less?

I believe success lies in obedience,

And the rest is God’s finesse

Him saying, "Ok, look at you listening and following instructions well. Be blessed."

Obedience led to the freedom of millions

And the walls of Jericho coming down.

Faithful actions parted the Red Sea and led to the defeat of great enemies.

How great the results of success sound

Obedience led Christ to lay down His life to pick it up again

Relabeling millions upon millions heaven-bound

Free from the penalties of sin

Success lies in the obedience to the Father above

Because His instructions are guiding us towards His Love

Actions and changes made so that we and others can be well

This is not a theology I am trying to sell

I know many would not define success the same way,

But those who find joy and pleasure in honoring God’s name

Would prioritize successful obedience over popularity and fame.

Success lies in obedience

planting the seed, watering the possibility,

lifting the rod or going where you're supposed to be.

Our success isn't measured by the groves of trees we see grown in our time

But by the number of seeds sown in obedience—that's how it’s defined.

Did we honor His instructions and obey?

"Well done" goes to the faithful who listened and served well,

not just the most productive and

those who held others under their magnetic spell.

Seed is given to the Sower, and a label of godly success from above.

So let's not get it twisted:

Neither the level of stress nor the numbers will determine who served God best;

However, obedience and faithfulness, even during tests, will define our success.

Written by: Avis Sparks

Inspired by: God's faithfulness