During a particularly difficult part of my life’s journey, I felt very unsuccessful.
I thought this was your will, Lord. Why such a mess?
My answer came via a radio sermon. I missed the name of the preacher and the Bible text. But his point was clear:
“God doesn’t call you to succeed. He calls you to obey.”
Thank you, Lord, for answered prayer.
“It is not your business to succeed, but to do right: when you have done so, the rest lies with God.”
C. S. Lewis
Better right in God’s eyes than successful.
God has a plan for each of us. He knows our potential. He measures our success by the progress we’ve made in fulfilling his plan.
Thus, things we may count as failures—lost money or job or home or race—are successes in God’s eyes if they develop obedience and godly character.
Philippians 1:6 (ESV)
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
You are a work in progress. God measures your success by your obedience and teachable spirit. 
How do you judge success?
Success—on the job, raising children, winning a race, keeping house, passing the test, moving up, securing our retirement—is often measured by what we have: more money, well-behaved kids, a trophy, nice furniture, good grades, a bigger house, a solid investment portfolio.
How does God measure our success?
“Cherubim and Seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert, and art,and evermore shalt be.”
Holy, Holy, Holy, Reginald Heber (1783–1826)
The Cherubim’s four faces
–ox, lion, eagle, man–
bow down before Christ,
who is the face of our
salvation, protection, vision, peace.
This is how it too often works:
The eagle complains that the ox has no vision.
The ox complains that he does all the work.
The lion complains that the ox takes his protection for granted.
The human face screams, “DON”T YOU CARE!”
Jesus said,
John 17:20-21 (NIV)
I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one,Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.
The living creature of Ezekiel’s vision had four faces:
Ox, Man, Lion, Eagle
Labor, Compassion, Protection, Vision
God’s kingdom needs all four faces. The Church needs all four faces. Each congregation needs all four faces.
All are necessary. All are equal. All four move in unity as directed by the Spirit.
Ezekiel 1:12
Wherever the spirit would go,
they would go,
without turning as they went.
Revelation 4:7 (NIV)
The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.
Which is your favored prayer face?
(this post is taken from the Foundation Study on Ephesians, Powerful Prayer)
Ezekiel had a vision:
Ezekiel 1:10 (NIV)
Each [living creature] had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle.
The man face has a heart of compassion for the needs of others and the hands to help. The lion watches the horizon, sustaining and protecting. The ox sees the field in front of him, plowing back and forth. The eagle soars high above it all, with a vision for what has yet to come.
Which face are you?
