Most artists, basically all artists when I come to think of it, claim that you have to have a special eye in order to be successful. That you need to see things from a perspective that differs from what most people are able to see. In a way, they're right. What a lot of those artists fail to see is how narrow-minded their definition of "successful" is. They buy into the hype that this world loves to create.
There's a perspective that makes more difference on this earth than that of a special eye, and it's the perspective of the One who died on a cross about two thousand years ago. God has given all of us special gifts, and through Him, success is not a possibility - it's a fact. It all goes back to the definition of success.
See, for the longest time, I tried to be like everyone else. I tried to run the race of this world. I claimed to be a Christian and tried to do all the right things, but at the end of the day, I never felt fulfilled. Thankfully, that changed during my recent trip to the US. Traveling on your own is a unique experience and more than anything, it's a great way to find whatever or whoever is knocking on the door to your heart. These last few months, I allowed myself to get away from everything that consumes my mind. And being away from everything that usually surrounds me, exposed a void that I've never really wanted to see. I realized that this life is not about doing good deeds and feeling great about yourself. It's not about being good - it's about being saved.
Seeing that void in my heart was the best thing that could have happened, because on
the other side of my brokenness was a light stronger than anything I've ever felt. And there was a meaning that filled me up more than anything has ever filled me up. I realized that I was lost and then found. And that feeling kicked some serious butt. It literally kicked the ass of every definition of success that mankind has ever tried to come up with.
This world wants nothing more than for you to run the race. To define yourself based on others. Guess what, that's a mean cycle and a race that you will never win. I've been there. I know a lot of you who read this know me as someone who's always been Christian. Wrong again. I thought I was a Christian. What I'm trying to say is that I can relate to the pull of this world. I know what it feels like, and I know what it feels like to give in to it. But now I also know the amazing feeling of breaking loose and to have God's grace cover you and change your definition of everything, including success.
I don't care who you are or what you've done.
So you become a hockey pro and win the Stanley Cup? Good for you!
So you're a mastermind starting up a billion-dollar business? That's pretty cool!
So you have a thousand friends on FB and are always the center of people's attention? That has to be such a good feeling!
So you're an artist who reaches an audience of millions? How 'bout that!
Newsflash. There will be a day in each and every one of our lives when none of that matters. In this world, you can have "success" - but you will never win. There's nothing down here that can fill you up like the love of the One who defeated this world on a cross.
It is my hope that everyone gets to feel what I felt during my recent trip. Take my word for it. To have Jesus step in as your personal savior and fill your void is the coolest thing you can experience. It makes everything else look gray in comparison.
So yeah, that's my hope and my prayer. Lastly, here's a song that basically sums it all up!
Oh, and stop running the race! Someone already ran it for you, and you know what? He won :)
