Have you ever had points in your life where you have felt totally defeated? Have you ever felt that no matter how much effort or strength you put into something that you will continue to get knocked down over and over again? I have had seasons like this. The thing for me is that it isn’t just one or two things, it becomes a series of little things that just seem overpowering. No matter how much fight and energy I put in to it, I still feel like I come out on the other side as the biggest loser.

There are also times in my life where I have felt like I needed to prove myself. Some people call it a rite of passage, others call it growing up and part of life. No matter what it is and what label it carries, everyone seems to go through times like this, too. Aren’t you glad you’re not alone on this journey of life? I certainly am! I am glad that there is nothing new under the sun and the things that I deal with others have gone through similar trials and circumstances.

I love the times where I have the opportunity to prove myself and I end up doing it! I end up making it! It’s such a feeling of complete satisfaction, gratification, and accomplishment. It’s not done out of revenge or out of spite. For me, it’s a time of revealing the character and integrity that are building up inside of me. As much as we want to be that guy that is proving ourselves constantly and able to shine, I look back over time and am grateful for the seasons that I have been able to come through! It has been worth it to not always be that guy because it wouldn’t have felt special for the times of being able to succeed and pass with flying colors.

I have been thinking about this idea of success lately and what does it mean to be spiritually successful. Many pastors and church leaders equate success to having large churches and constantly focusing on the next building project. Goals are good, but this can become very exhausting. Others think about success from a perspective that deals with external circumstances. This, too, is dangerous ground. I think what it means to be spiritually successful is to simply be one that is a conduit of availability to allow God and the Holy Spirit to simply do His work and show Himself off.

That’s it! It’s pretty simple and straight forward. It’s not too elaborate. In the specific case of giving proof as one who is spiritually successful, it means to simply get out of the way. Don’t be the interruption that we can so easily be on the work of God. I want to be one who is giving proof by moving with the ebb and flow of God and His will, direction, and desire for my life. It’s an adventure, a dream, and an incredible privilege that we all have the opportunity to be part of. Unfortunately we neglect it and sort of just do our own thing.

So… give proof. Give proof of your faith by doing what God wants you to do. Get out of the way and watch Him to the incredible and the seemingly impossible. When life happens beyond you, then you know the one in charge is greater than you could ever be.

Now, go get ‘em!

Jay