So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. Acts 12:21-23
Be careful!
How many times a day do you suppose the parent of a four-year-old utters those words? Little kids want to try new things, but their understanding of the risk varies. We don’t want to see them get hurt, so we’re always offering helpful warnings like, “Be careful!” I wonder if those words even mean anything to a four-year-old. In most cases, it doesn’t matter what you say; they’re going see how high they can climb, and sometimes they’re going to fall.
We adults like to climb too. Yes, sometimes on the climbing wall at the gym, but I’m talking about the ladders of success. And not just the so-called corporate ladder. Yes, for some people, business is their game. But it doesn’t matter what game you like to play— sports, performing arts, academics— there’s a ladder and there’s competition.
But just as with climbing a jungle gym on the playground, with adult ladders of success, there are risks. You could lose. You could have some success and then fall. The one that bugs me the most is the risk of my endeavors proving to be a waste of time.
Maybe I shouldn’t spend all this time writing this book (or practicing this sport, or traveling all over for auditions, or working toward that promotion, etc.). If I don’t succeed, this will all have been a big waste of time.
On the one side, we do have to make sure we’re not putting our personal goals ahead of God and our service to Him. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” (Matthew 6:33). That is supposed to be our first priority.
Secondly, in the context of that verse, Jesus is referring to people’s concerns over their daily needs being met. If we don’t have to worry where our next meal is coming from or where we’ll sleep tonight, we’re very blessed. Being able to pursue your talent and your dream is a luxury. Don’t take it for granted.
But when we see four-year-olds climbing on things and we warn them to be careful, we aren’t upset with them for wanting to climb. We understand it’s in their nature. I can’t help but think that God the Father has placed in us grown-ups something similar. We, too, want to see how high we can climb. People are forever competing to prove who’s the best at this or that. Men arm wrestle. My sister and I send each other our “Wordle” results every morning to see if one of us got the answer quicker than the other. We have races and spelling bees and tug-of-war and game shows and the list goes on and on. It’s part of our nature to compete and to desire success.
But it’s also part of our nature to be prideful. And there’s the rub.
I don’t think we should feel guilty if we try something and fail. It may feel like it was all a waste of time, but there are always lessons that can be learned.
But what if we succeed? If we succeed, then we are tempted to boast, whether aloud or just in our hearts, and that is the real danger in trying to climb any ladder of success. If I win, will I give God the glory?
The truth is, no matter what I may accomplish in this life, the psalmist had it right when he said, “My goodness is nothing apart from [the LORD],” (Psalm 16:2). Any ability I have is from God, and so any success I have is from Him too.
It would be sad to have a child who was too afraid ever to try climbing. So I say, by all means, chase your dreams! Go for it! God already knows the outcome, but we don’t know what we can accomplish until we try. But! Be careful! Don’t let anything come between you and God. If you lose, thank Him for the opportunity and pray for wisdom to learn what you can from the experience. And if you win, congratulations! Stay humble and remember to give God the glory.
Dear God, as Your children, we pray that our endeavors will bring joy to Your heart and not sorrow. Bless our lives and help us to use our talents well. Give us wisdom in weighing risks as we do not know the future. Thank You for holding us in the palm of Your hands. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
by Christie Cole Atkins
Walk Worthy 