Success. We all want success in our life and endeavors—even for those who call themselves followers of Christ. Our goals may be commendable, even biblical. Yet human desire for success can get in the way of fulfilling God’s purpose for us and for our ministry. This is because our concept of success is all too often stifled by human ideas of public recognition, impressive numbers, and even limitless material resources.
Success in life and ministry ought to be every Christian’s concern since everyone who claims to be a follower of Christ is called to minister in his name. But how should 
a successful life and ministry look like? The account of John the Baptizer’s final testimony concerning Christ in John 3.22-30 provides an excellent example.
When John had directed people’s attention to the person and ministry of Jesus, many people started following Jesus, exceeding the number of followers of John. Then John’s disciples became greatly concerned about the whole situation (v. 26). In response, John declares: “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven” (v. 27). John acknowledges that his ministry assignment comes from God and is defined by God. It would be quite arrogant for him to claim for himself that which God had assigned to someone else. In fact, it was his joy and the completion of his ministry to see people turning to Jesus (vv. 29-30). For John, the success of his life and ministry was all about fulfilling the purpose of God even if it meant fading public recognition and diminishing numbers. His life was not about competing with others, but completing his God-given assignment.
What is remarkable is that when we ponder Jesus’ life and mission, the picture of success that John modeled becomes even more vivid in Jesus. He was abandoned by his followers, arrested by his enemies, beaten, and nailed to a cross to die. Yet, far from being a tragic failure the cross was Jesus’ resounding success. The pinnacle of Jesus’ success is his crucifixion!
Why? Because what he accomplished at the cross was exactly what he came to do—to overcome the power of sin (human disobedience and rebellion against God). At the cross Jesus decisively fulfilled the will of the Father. As Paul would declare: Jesus was “obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Philippians 2.8 NIV). And his obedience pleased the Father, who vindicated Jesus by raising him from the dead and declaring him as Lord over all (Philippians 2.9-11).
The truly successful life is the life that fulfills the will of God.
—Keith Y. Jainga