Life in the 21st century is moving at breath taking speed. Technology is literally increasing at such a rate that it is impossible for most of us to keep up. Google just announced that they expect to be able to upload your mind to the web by 2045 (here). What is it that drives such things? How have we become such a technological society?
I think I can sum it up in one word. Success. Success drives some to develop technologies at such a rate. Success drives some to make money. Success drives some to select cars, investments, colleges, and any host of other possessions or activities.
Success in and of itself isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Many great things have been accomplished because of the drive of one person to succeed, but there is a dark side to success that isn’t often touched on. I recently had the opportunity to be tested to see if success was eating me.
In 2000 I planted a church that, thanks to the Grace of God, it is still running today in spite of all my mistakes, failures, and sin. Shortly before I resigned at that church we helped a new church in town by offering them the opportunity to preach. I just heard a report from their pastor that now, some four years later, that church is running multiple services with hundreds of people. My response? Man, that is awesome. I truly am happy for them.
What is your response in the face of someone else’s success? Do you genuinely celebrate with them or do you become jealous or even belittle them? How about if you have been at your company for seven years and a newer employee is promoted before you, how do you respond? What happens in your heart when someone else succeeds at something similar to what you are trying to accomplish? Do you immediately examine yourself to see where you are failing and they are succeeding? Do you get mad with God and ask why are you blessing them and not me?
