The book of Jeremiah was written by Jeremiah to the people of Judah (The southern kingdom and its capital city, Jerusalem). The purpose of the book was to urge God’s people to turn from their sins and back to God.

WHAT IS SUCCESS?

This is the question Jeremiah left me contemplating after studying Jeremiah 8-10.

Most definitions of success include achieving goals, stuff, favor and power. To the world a “successful” person is a leader, opinion maker or influencer. These people know who they are, where they are headed and can confidently achieve their goals.

By the world’s standards Jeremiah was far from a success. For 40 years he preached and spoke to the people of Judah but the problem was no one listened. He was a poor man and later in Jeremiah we even see him thrown into prison and into a cistern. He was rejected by his neighbors, his family, the prophets and false priests. He had VERY little support.

BUT in the eyes of God, Jeremiah was a HUGE success because he was faithful and obedient. No matter what came his way Jeremiah was faithful to the message of Jesus and was extremely passionate about walking in obedience.

In Jeremiah 8:6 it says, “I have listened attentively, but they do not say what Is right. None of them repent of their wickedness saying, “What have I done?” Each pursues their own course like a horse charging into battle.”

The people of Judah had lost direction and perspective because ultimately they wanted their way over God’s way, like many of us. They looked for grey areas, when God’s word is black and white. They said a lot of things that ultimately didn’t align with the way they ultimately lived.

Jeremiah 6:11b says, “Peace, peace they say, when there is no peace.”

This left me chewing on a few questions:

1. Am I like a horse charging into battle? Am I focused on building my castle and my way over God’s?
2. When the Lord looks at my life does He see a lot of talk with little action? Does the way I live align with the things I say?
3. In my business, have I truly surrendered my definition of success for God’s?
4. In my business, do I under promise and over deliver OR over promise and under deliver?
5. What is God calling you to do? NOT what does Instagram make you want to do.

Here’s the main takeaway girls: God’s definition of success is faithfulness and obedience. PERIOD.

We can try to justify our actions and build our own kingdom of success but I can promise you one thing: it will always leave you empty.

“Lord, I pray over the women reading this devotional today. I pray that we wouldn’t just be hearers of the word but DOERS of the Word. In our homes, marriages, parenting, businesses, and how we serve. I pray that you would align our hearts with yours today, giving our best for your glory and the good of others.”