The Slippery Slope of Success

Have you ever had something go exactly as planned, but nothing like you expected? It's a peculiar feeling when everything goes right, yet somehow feels wrong. This paradox often emerges when we achieve success, only to find ourselves unprepared for its challenges.

Consider the story of a group of young singers who won a prestigious competition. Their moment of triumph quickly turned to embarrassment when a simple technical error caused their performance to fall flat - literally. Despite months of practice and flawless execution in preliminaries, their big moment became a cacophony of off-key notes. This incident illustrates a profound truth: just because we can get what we want doesn't mean we'll get what we expect.

This principle extends far beyond talent competitions. How many of us have pursued a dream job, a perfect relationship, or a long-awaited goal, only to find that the reality doesn't match our expectations? The job becomes a source of stress, the relationship feels strained, or the achievement leaves us feeling empty. Why does this happen?

Often, it's because we focus all our energy on reaching our destination without considering what it takes to thrive once we arrive. We work tirelessly to get the job, win the heart, or achieve the goal, but we haven't prepared ourselves for the ongoing effort required to sustain success.

This phenomenon isn't limited to personal experiences. Even in the business world, companies that were once heralded as paragons of success have fallen from grace. Jim Collins, in his follow-up to "Good to Great," explored how mighty organizations can stumble. The lesson? It's not just about how you start the race, but how you finish. Sustainability is key.

So how do we avoid the slippery slope of success? The biblical story of Joseph offers profound insights.

Joseph's life was a roller coaster of extreme highs and lows. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, he rose to a position of authority in Potiphar's house, only to be falsely accused and imprisoned. Yet even in the depths of injustice, Joseph maintained his integrity and faith in God.

When Joseph finally got his big break - interpreting Pharaoh's dreams - he faced a critical moment. After years of hardship, he stood before the most powerful man in Egypt with a chance to elevate himself. But instead of seizing the spotlight, Joseph did something remarkable. He deflected the praise, saying, "I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."

This moment reveals three crucial principles for handling success:

1. Remember who you were. The character developed during times of struggle shouldn't be discarded once you achieve your goals. The discipline, faith, and perseverance that got you there are still essential for staying there.

2. Recognize you're not the creator of your success. It's tempting to attribute our achievements solely to our own efforts. But consider the incalculable odds of your very existence - the precise genetic combination, the time and place of your birth, the opportunities you've encountered. While we make choices and put in effort, ultimately, our success is built on foundations we didn't create.

3. Cultivate humility and surrender to keep your heart open to God's activity. Joseph's humility wasn't false modesty; it was a genuine recognition of his dependence on God. This attitude invited divine activity into his life, leading him to accomplish far more than he could have imagined.

Pride can be deceptive. It makes us feel confident, but actually limits what God can do through us. When we're too focused on maintaining our position or protecting our ego, we become less willing to take risks or follow God's prompting into unfamiliar territory.

Conversely, humility opens doors. It allows us to say, "God, you put me here. If you want me to do something that seems crazy, I'll follow through because it's all about You, not me." This attitude leads to those awe-inspiring moments where we look back and say, "I don't know how this happened... but somehow God did this."

Remember, God's dreams for your life are bigger than your own. Joseph dreamed of familial leadership, but God was preparing him to save nations. We often hesitate to fully surrender to God, fearing disappointment. But as Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

When we feel stuck or confused, it's easy to doubt God's plan. But He sees the whole picture while we only glimpse a single puzzle piece. Our ultimate purpose isn't just personal success or comfort - it's about making an eternal impact. It's about offering hope in a world of despair, demonstrating faithfulness in a culture of inconsistency, and leading others toward unwavering faith.

As we reflect on these truths, let's consider the example of Jesus on Palm Sunday. Entering Jerusalem to cheering crowds, He could have been swept up in the adulation. Instead, Jesus remained focused on His Father's will, choosing the path of humble obedience that led not to an earthly crown, but to the cross - and ultimately, to our salvation.

Today, let's shift our perspective from merely arriving at our goals to sustaining a life of purpose. Instead of clutching tightly to what we never truly controlled, let's embrace humility and surrender. May we echo this prayer: "God, You are my source when I struggle and my source when I'm strong. I choose Your path over my own."

In doing so, we open ourselves to a life of true success - one that goes beyond our limited dreams and taps into God's limitless vision for our lives.