All or Nothing

"They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither and in all they do, they prosper." Psalm 1: 3 NLT

Several years ago, Jesus taught me a hurtful lesson about success. For me success was an expensive car, a large house in the country, designer clothes and prestigious neighbors. Success was what I possessed - not so with Jesus. I enjoyed showing off our new red sports car with a "pdcash" license plate. What a thrill! With money in the bank and a secure future, worldly success was mine.

However, Jesus planned differently for my success. A plan involving character building and understanding true success. This character building required the removal of all my possessions. Unlike the tree mentioned in the above verse, my brittle, hard soul needed a refreshing drink from the river of life.

During this journey to the river of life, I cried over lost things, cried out to Jesus about my husband's depression and hated the lost of my large house. After all, I waited eighteen years to receive this home. Jesus answered my prayer for a home and now it was gone. All this time, Jesus planned for my future success.

Driven by bitterness, anger and a deep depression, I memorized Psalm One. Over and over, I read this psalm. Eventual this truth hit me like a ton of bricks - "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night." Was it that simple - just delighting in the Lord? Perhaps! For me, delightment involved showing off my possessions. However, biblical delightment involved tribulation and tribution, perseverance and perseverance character then hope. (Romans 5: 3) Because of my lost, Jesus was developing character in my dry soul. With each new trial, I memorized scripture and eventual I delighted in the Lord's helping hand.

My soul was like that tree planted by the river flowing from a heavenly throne. His Spirit brought forth the fruit of the spirit in my life. My soul would never wither but succeed in good works prepared by God. Success was delighting in the Lord and letting his word influence this saint. Heavenly success was mine.

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