I’ve been tagged by Jeff Utecht and now Lisa Durff.
Here are my thoughts on the topic…
First, I don’t consider myself terribly successful. Truth is, I have no idea how to define success. I am not sure I would even try.
Honestly, do you really even know me?
To be honest, my definition of success does not revolve around “a ha” moments, the “light bulb”, or anything else directly related to my students, technology, or my job.
It’s all about God’s glory.
I learned a long time ago that if I live my life focused on glorifying God, life is infinitely more satisfying because it holds purpose and destiny. Only in the context of a Creator is this possible.
I realize this is not quite the list most folks have put forth, but I simply cannot. I never can get past number 1.
1. Glorify God.
2. Be satisfied in Him.
3. Everything else is gravy.
John Piper once said that “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him”.
I do a pretty bad job at glorifying Him, to be frank. I fall on grace, He lifts me up, and I try again.
So if my students are taught a particularly engaging, motivating, enriching, or any other buzzword lesson, it is because I quit talking and listened. Listened to the still, small voice.
There are certainly tips and tricks I could share to how I keep organized, but I don’t do terribly well with that either. My desk is usually a mess.
Like Jeff, I did marry an unbelievably good woman. She is Proverbs 31 all over the place. I have two amazing daughters. My wife and I speak primarily Spanish so that my girls will grow up bilingual, that’s a big deal.
So that’s my life, I walk around and make every effort to love folks, to edify them, and to never let a day pass by when I neglect to tell my students, my wife, and my kids how wonderful they are.
Success is nothing more than blessing, and it comes from the Lord. The glory has to go back to Him. Hope this doesn’t offend, just hear my heart here.
Chris
Cathy N says:
AMEN.
23rd April 2007 at 4:25 pm
Mrs, Durff says:
Amen, brother!! You have said it very well! I am humbled…
23rd April 2007 at 5:36 pm
William Bishop says:
Chris
I love the post. I think that you have hit the nail on the proverbial head as we say in the south. I read a lot of Lucado, Olsteen, etc. and I find that when I give God the credit good things happen. Moreover, it is like Olsteen says, “If you have a need, plant a seed.” Everything seems to go better with God.
One of my students had a really cool shirt on the other day that said, “Got God.” How cool is that? Also, I believe that if we love others it keeps us from focusing on our own problems. As a matter of fact, when I focus on the needs of others, I often forget about my own troubles. Helping others goes a long way. And you’re right, success is nothing more than blessing, and it comes from the Lord. The glory has to go back to him. After all, everything belongs to him anyway.
Thanks for the inspirational post.
Regards,
William Bishop (Bill)
23rd April 2007 at 9:16 pm