If you’ve been keeping up with the latest cultural trends, you’ll have no doubt heard of a book called The Secret which claims to divulge the secret esoteric knowledge of how to become wildly successful, using famous people throughout history as examples of people who used this secret knowledge to their advantage. Of course, once everyone’s bought this book, it’ll no longer be a secret I suppose.

Here’s my secret, and it’s really no secret: I want to know God more fully, even as I am fully known. I want God to accomplish His divine purpose through me, no matter where that leads me. My happiness is a byproduct of my worship and my devotion to the Creator of Life. My level of success is determined by how effectively I’m having an impact on the world around me by advancing the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Apostle Paul was a success: beaten, starved, tortured, shipwrecked, imprisoned, ridiculed, convicted, and finally, beheaded. The Emperors of Rome were failures: vast resources, wealth, education, rule over a vast empire, the height of power and progress. Don’t believe me? Who’s still having a dramatic impact on our world: a Roman Emperor, or Paul?

Selah.