Counterfeit: Success — Thursday
Matthew 16:26
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? (NLT)
In my opinion, one of the best movies of all time is the 1963 film, The Great Escape. It starred the ‘King of Cool’ himself, Mr. Steve McQueen. If anyone could claim to be a modern-day Solomon, Steve McQueen could. He was the definition of a self-made man. He turned a terrible upbringing filled with abuse and neglect, into the American dream; he was a total success! He became the most popular Hollywood icon and had everything he ever wanted, but in the end, he felt empty and his possessions became meaningless.
Steve put his hope and his wealth into this world, and eventually, it cost him. His stardom ran out in Hollywood, his money was drying up, and his health was declining. With nothing in this world left to satisfy, he was led to Christ by a friend. It wasn’t long after he gave his life to Christ that he passed, and he was found with a Bible open on his chest to his favorite verse John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (NIV). This is what true success looks like! The worldly legacy he chased quickly evaporated, but he put his faith in Christ and found eternal success in Him. The only thing that will ever make us satisfied and complete is a relationship with Jesus.
Thursday’s Reflection
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” (NLT)
Relationships we make with other believers can be the catalyst for growing in our relationship with Jesus. Check out what Southland Groups are available right now as we kick off a new session of groups!
