Redefining Success

Unmet expectations – we've all experienced them. A job that doesn't match what we had hoped for when hired. A carefully planned vacation that has to be cancelled. A long-term relationship ends abruptly. We wonder if we did enough. We wonder what we did wrong. We wonder why life can be so messy.

When we enter into the ministry of hospitality, it can be easy to set our sights on our own definitions of success, only to have those expectations dashed by a different reality. When reality doesn't align with our expectations, the easiest response is often frustration, doubt, or even defeat.

But what if we redefined success? What if success was less about results and more about simply showing up? John 1:14 tells us that "The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood" (MSG). The incarnation of Jesus as a person tells us that presence matters to the God of the universe. The world often models that success equals results – we must produce. Jesus simply asks that we show up in obedience and be with.

Volunteer family coaches Jeanne and Mike Belth agree.

"We need to define success as when we are faithful to do what we ought to do," says Mike. "We have to recognize that many times, things aren’t going to turn out the way we want, but...we can actually succeed every time if we go out and serve the way the Lord would have us serve, and then leave it to God to do the work."

“We can actually succeed every time if we go out and serve the way the Lord would have us serve, and then leave it to God to do the work.”

Because Jesus moved into hard, complicated places, Christ followers are compelled to do the same. We can move into messy situations, because that is what has been done for us. We don't have all of the answers, but we can walk alongside those around us trusting that God is always moving.

"I’ve got to remember that it’s God doing the work," Jeanne says. "He’s not going to mess things up. I may, but he won’t."