Good Morning, Union!

We live in a success driven culture, we idolize it. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary definition of success is "a favorable or desired outcome” as well as “the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence”. I asked a few students and faculty around campus to describe what success looks like to them. Here are a few of the answers: 

“A position of power in the world or a company.” 

“Finding something I would enjoy doing for a long time in a community that I love.”

“Accomplishing a task, goal, or reaching an achievement.”

“Feeling good, accomplishing your goals.”

“Doing your best”

“Being able to change people’s lives, while paying the bills.”

As students and employees at a higher education institution, we strive to be successful every single day. I think that’s awesome! I am blessed to be part of a community where I’m surrounded by individuals who are aiming for happiness, fulfillment, stability, influence, transformation, and impact. 

Mother Teresa is a hero known for devoting her life to ministering to the orphaned, the sick, and the dying in the slums of Calcutta. All the praise and accolades attributed to her name, including a Nobel Peace Prize during her lifetime and being sainted by the Catholic church only 19 years after her death, are proof of her success in making a difference in our world. What if I told you that frequently, the outcomes of her ministry were a far cry from success? Or that success was neither a priority nor a pursuit of Mother Teresa’s?

There is a story of a U.S. Senator who was visiting Mother Teresa and witnessed her in action as she moved along the beds of hundreds of sick and dying people. In spite of her sacrifice and efforts, the odds were so overwhelmingly disappointing. Like a drop of fresh water in the ocean, it seemed as though her efforts were failing to amount to any substantial result. The senator, struck by the feeling of defeat, turns to Mother Teresa. “Mother,” he asked, “don’t you get awfully discouraged when you see the magnitude of the poverty and realize how little you can really do?” How I would’ve loved to be there the moment that she turned to her observer with this response: “My dear Senator, God did not call me to be successful. He called me to be faithful.”

In a world that seems to focus all its attention and energy on success, I am reminded that true success isn’t measured by money, influence, or achievement. True success comes from wholehearted surrender to the will of the Father. Just like Jesus was faithful to the Father all the way to the cross. The symbol of shame and failure to the world became the one and only means of salvation for all humanity. In the words of my good friend Sam Nunez, “Success is being at the feet of Jesus.” When you get that right, the rest falls into place—and who knows? Maybe an early retirement will come with it after all.