Our definition of success is often determined by the very things our society values. For example, today’s society places a high value on career, wealth and social status, therefore our definition of a successful person is almost always influenced by at least one of these things. The problem with this way of thinking however, is that if someone doesn’t have a good career, isn’t wealthy or has a low social status, then unless they change and conform to what society values, that person can never be considered successful. This is why most of our society looks down on those who are homeless, poor or those who live in lower socioeconomic areas. They haven’t lived up to society’s standard and are therefore considered as being unsuccessful.
Whilst in Australia you could argue that everyone is given a (not so equal) opportunity to ‘make it’, in most other parts of the world this isn’t the case. For example, a child born into the fourth-world slums of India or the Philippines is often never given the opportunity to attend school. Without an education they can never learn to read and therefore simply have no chance of ever attaining what we would call a ‘successful’ career. These kids are born into families that literally have nothing other than a few things scavenged from the garbage of the wealthy and are treated worse than dogs by their own government. If we base success around career, wealth or social status then what we’re saying is that there are many people who will never even have the opportunity to be successful, simply because of the family or circumstance they were born into. Surely no one could consider this to be fair.
So what is it then that could be used to measure the success of someone that is equally attainable to everyone everywhere? Love. But not any kind of love. True love. Love that is patient. Love that is kind. Love that does not envy, boast or is proud. Love that does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking and is not easily angered. Love that keeps no record of wrong. Love that does not delight in evil but instead rejoices with the truth. Love that always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. Love that is unconditional and never earned. If someone can stand in the face of adversity, evil and hatred yet still respond in love, then I believe this to be the mark of a successful person in any society.
Jesus was whipped, mocked and beaten by his own people for simply proclaiming truth. Yet throughout every trial he faced, the only response he ever gave was that of love. He set the example for all mankind to follow and invites everyone everywhere to enter into a relationship with him, that we might truly know his love, so that we too might go out and share this unconditional love with the world. He’s calling each of us everywhere to be mighty warriors of his love, a kind of love that can never fail.