I was asked to teach an ethics class at Florida State University last week. This course is an elective and I assumed that most students took it because they wanted to become successful and were astute enough to realize that maintaining good ethics is a key component in achieving it. Thus I began teaching the class by defining success. I gave the dictionary’s definition, “The achievement of something planned or attempted, especially an impressive accomplishment such as the attainment of wealth, fame, or power”.
Then I asked how many thought this was a good definition and several raised their hands. I mentioned to them that I knew several wealthy, famous, and powerful people who were totally miserable.
After reflecting on this key point they agreed that being miserable is not such a good definition of being successful. Knowing peace, joy, and love in one’s life is the true definition of success in my mind, but unfortunately many in our modern society fail to find it.
In fact the leading form of mental illness in this country is anxiety. Millions of people from all walks of life suffer from it, and billions of dollars are spent by them as they try to find remedies for their situation whereby they can find the peace, joy, and love that they desire. Many turn to alcohol, drugs, sex outside of marriage, overeating, or pornography in order to quell their anxiety.
Those who turn to alcohol to resolve problems should know that they are playing with fire, because alcohol doesn’t build you up; it is a depressant, and an addictive one at that. There is at least one severe alcoholic in 43% of the families in the United States and in many cases more than one. We can’t find what we’re looking for in a bottle; it only causes more problems.
Well how about drugs? I’m not talking about meth, heroin, or even pot; Oxycontin, Xanax, Vicatin, and other prescription drugs are abused just as much, if not more, than street drugs. A staggering ten per cent of our population is addicted to drugs including soccer moms, executive dads, and millions of teenagers, (of which less than eight per cent even seek treatment for their addictions).
The result of this behavior is heartbreaking: 51% of marriages end in divorce, 1/3 of kids dropout of high school without ever graduating, a suicide occurs every 18 minutes and is the 11th leading cause of death; our prisons are full and statistics indicate that 80% of the children of fathers that are incarcerated will end up there themselves. Broken homes – broken lives – broken society…People are demonstrating in the streets trying to find a way out!
Yikes! What’s up with all this?
I told my class that the answer to our problems in this country can be solved by Jesus Christ and only by Him. Jesus was asked by some Pharisees which of the 613 recorded commands in the Old Testament law was the greatest. “He answered, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind’. And you must love your neighbor as yourself.”
He went on to say, “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets”. So if anyone wants to achieve success they must start there, it is our foundation. If we keep these two commands, we need not worry about ethics, they will be stellar.
Of course in order to even come close to obeying those commands would mean that we must put our utmost faith in Him and…gulp…surrender!
Hmmm… If we all did that what do you suppose would happen to our anxiety and other societal problems?
In my upcoming Success Seminar, I list fifteen character qualities that we should all strive for. They are as follows:
- Have a love for God that is above all else in life
- Treat others as you’d like to be treated
- Be completely honest and truthful
- Be honorable, have integrity, and moral fiber
- Be confident, tenacious and persevere
- Be authentic, genuine, and sincere
- Demonstrate a peaceful, calm, and tranquil temperament
- Cooperate, be tolerant, and become a team member.
- Be highly motivated and demonstrate a positive attitude and outlook
- Have a strong work ethic and be disciplined
- Be reliable, loyal, and steadfast
- Be determined to succeed and don’t be a quitter or a whiner.
- Cherish wisdom and actively seek more education
- Be decisive
- Be humble
I came up with these quality traits by trying to describe Jesus Christ as I know Him; (forty years of Bible study has enhanced my knowledge of Him). I believe that if we want to soar like eagles we should aspire to accomplish great things and nothing is greater than trying to emulate our Lord and Savior. If we want to achieve great things we must aspire to them.
Spend some time and carefully analyze this list today and write down needed improvements in your life. Then put together a plan of action and work hard towards improving your life in each area that you have identified. (If after careful analysis you cannot find anything that needs improvement, please reread number 15.)
Jesus is the answer. Open your modern translation Bible and read all about His life beginning in Romans or John and then the entire New Testament. He had no need for booze or pills and neither will you if you surrender your life to Him. He promises to guard our hearts and importantly our minds with peace that is beyond comprehension.
Rest in Jesus Christ!
BTW – My Success Seminar at beautiful Honey Lake Plantation Resort and Spa is coming up fast, (November 4-5). If you have not registered there are still plenty of seats available. I hope you will join us.
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!
Phil. 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.