Have you ever felt the need to prove yourself—to strive for success? But no matter how hard you try it seems beyond your reach? 

Maybe these feelings stem from growing up in a trailer park or struggling to put yourself through college with a job at the local fast-food joint. Perhaps it doesn’t have anything to do with where you’ve come from. Instead, it has to do with whatever battle you’re currently facing in your life: A failing business or a loveless marriage.

“If I can only be successful,” we say to ourselves, “I’ll be happy. Complete.”

Success. The word alone evokes a myriad of thoughts and feelings.

According to the dictionary, success is “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” Yet, in our fast-paced world, success is often twisted and misinterpreted—synonymous with money, fame, influence, and power.

But success is much more profound and fulfilling.

Grow

To grow is to always keep learning. No matter how skilled we are, there is always something new to discover, a fresh perspective to understand, and a skill to hone. For me, I love attending conferences. Don’t laugh. Conferences have gotten a bad rap. They’re not boring if you are learning about something fascinating and growing in your skillsets!

Last summer I attended my second SpeakUp conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan—and I think I’ve found my speaker voice. I’m a storyteller.

More recently, I returned from the Asheville Christian Writers Conference in North Carolina. I rubbed shoulders with brilliant authors, talked with agents, and snagged a mentor. Needless to say, I left energized and encouraged.

Growth is not a destination but a continuous journey. Embrace it and watch how your craft evolves. Never stop learning!

Give

Give generously of your time and talents. Use your abilities to uplift others, mentor those who are just starting, and be a beacon of support and hope.

It will be worth the effort. I promise. I was half-way through drafting the sequel to my debut novel, Eve’s Covering, when God prodded me to stop and lay it aside. But I hesitated. You see, I was on a roll with my own story, and I wanted to finish it.

But God had other plans and prodded me again. Why? To write Hunted: Based on the True Story of Resilient Faith. It’s about an Ethiopian girl’s struggle against poverty and religious persecution.

It’s been a wonderful experience and has transformed my own heart in the process. I’m privileged to know this beautiful young woman and bring her powerful, heart-wrenching story to life. And to think, I almost missed out on this blessing. I know others will be blessed by her story too.

Glow

Glow by sharing and celebrating the successes of others. When we acknowledge and rejoice in the achievements of our peers, we cultivate a community of encouragement and mutual respect.

I read as many books from new authors as I can. I also make a point to write a review for them and post about their book on social media. Furthermore, I love being a beta reader (someone who reads a first draft of a manuscript) and an arc reader (someone who reads an advanced reader copy of a book that’s just been published).

“Why?” you ask. “Isn’t that a lot of work? What do you get out of it?”

A review takes about five minutes to write. Reading a manuscript is obviously longer, but I love reading so it’s a win-win. Besides, helping an author ‘launch’ their book out into the world is an awesome thing! And it feels great to help them glow. You’ll glow, too, in the process.

What then is True Success?

Success is not about money or fame. True success is finding your purpose, your niche. It’s about being who God has made you to be and doing what he has called you to do.

Consider the life of Elizabeth. She was   the wife of Jim Elliot, the famous missionary to Ecuador. Her husband died by the hands of the people he set out to help. Despite her husband’s death, she stayed in the village and learned the language of the people she should by all earthly means hate. She shared the gospel with them, embodying forgiveness and perseverance in the face of unimaginable loss and betrayal.

Was she successful? By the world’s standard, no. But by God’s standard, yes!

What’s Your Calling?

Another word for purpose is calling. Find your calling and you’ll flourish. It might change from time to time over the years, depending on what stage of life you find yourself in. But don’t fret. Be flexible. Stretch into something new. You’ll be stronger for it and blossom on your new journey.

I’ve had many callings on my life. First, I’m a wife, mother, and Mimi or grandma. This is the calling of who I am—who God made me to be. God also called me (and my family) to the mission field where I spent ten years in Ukraine, planting churches and teaching English at Kyiv Christian Academy. Then God called my husband and I to Black Forest Academy in Kandern, Germany where we spent a delightful year serving missionary kids from over sixty countries.

When God brought us back to the States, I struggled to find my calling—my purpose. My children were grown and on their own adventures. Besides, what calling could compare to family or the mission field? Well, I’ve finally found it! I’m writing God-centered, Christian fiction that is real and unflinching. Some might even call it gritty or edgy.

“But why?” you ask. “Shouldn’t you be writing fluff and sunshine? God is love, let’s not forget.”

True. God is love. He is also just. He gives us the command to live in the world. To be salt and light.

Why I Don’t Write Fluff

Life is difficult. Some think that once you become a Christian, you’re walking on easy street. Far from it! People are hurting in this dark world we’re living in, and they need to read what’s real. Everyone has problems. If you don’t think so, then your world is an illusion. Smoke and mirrors.

I want my books to be a light in the darkness, to bring hope to the hopeless. I can’t do that if I’m writing about everyone behaving nicely in perfect families with perfect jobs where the climate is perfect with no hurricanes or tornadoes. No. Terrible things happen. We get hurt—broken, even.

But God.

God is good. He walks with us through the valleys and carries us through the storms. More importantly, He will never leave us or forsake us. All we have to do is put our trust in his son, Jesus—believe that he died on the cross for our sins and ask forgiveness. It’s that simple. Turn from sin and follow Jesus. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Some might say that success is about listening to that inner voice, understanding your unique gifts, and using them to make a difference. And that’s true…to a point. We need to accept the unique gifts God has entrusted us with, both physical talents and spiritual gifts. Then we need to use them. Shame on us if we sit on them. Like the childhood song, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,” we all have a light and it’s up to us to shine. That’s how we make a difference in the world. Only then can we experience true peace, knowing we are on the right path, doing what God wants us to do.

The Challenge 

Embrace the 3 G’s for success. However, it just doesn’t happen. Good intentions get overrun by a busy life. You need to intentionally set aside the time. But it will be worth it. Take the time today and add activities to your calendar for the next month. Keep growing by continuing to pursue knowledge. Sign up for a cooking class or research a long-lost interest. Give generously of your time and talents by volunteering at your local church or food pantry. And glow by rejoicing with others. Throw a housewarming party for a friend or congratulate your colleague on their new position.

Remember that true success is entwined with the divine purpose God has given each of us. Use the gifts God has entrusted you with. Obeying God by serving others is an act of worship and a testament to His love and grace. By utilizing your unique talents and spiritual gifts, you fulfill His divine plan and bring His love and light into the world.

Let us redefine success together, not by the wealth we accumulate or the titles we earn, but by the impact we make and the fulfillment we find in our calling. As you embark on this path, trust that God will guide you and provide the strength you need to make a difference. Listen to His voice, follow His guidance, and let your actions glorify Him.

Shine your light,

Elsie