Achievement (see Deeds, Success, Victory)

 

True, lasting achievement cannot be had outside of doing God’s will. If we choose to disobey Him, sooner or later, the consequences of sin will get us.

 

Sometimes, because of sin, we may achieve a great victory but it is a Pyrrhic victory.

 

It doesn’t matter how careful we are, how smart we are or how powerful we are nothing lasting is achieved without the Lord’s help.

 

It is often difficult to overcome our base desires so that we can accomplish great things. Laziness, procrastination, the enjoyment of luxuries, indulgence of the senses…all these are attractive to the flesh. To overcome these, we need to keep in mind how sweet the ultimate achievement will be.

 

True achievement (as opposed to occasional blind luck) is to be accomplished through wisdom and understanding. If you want to succeed, study diligently. Learn from the best.

 

We need to learn to enjoy our achievements. Some people are so driven to succeed that when they actually do, they can’t allow themselves to enjoy the experience. We should build shorter, more easily achieved goals into our long-range plans and deliberately celebrate the milestones.

 

One of the greatest achievements is that of earning a good and honorable name or reputation.

 

Those who don’t achieve are recognized as being dead and useless. Those who achieve, no matter how small the achievement, at least demonstrate their usefulness to society and to the Lord. But the type of achievements demonstrate the purity or the depravity of our hearts as well.

 

Jesus was willing to live by this standard. He calls on all men to observe Him life and determine whether or not He is who He says He is – God incarnate, Savior and King.

 

The ultimate achievement is to know God and to enjoy d’vekut with Him. That achievement is impossible without the Son.

 

Regardless of our chosen field, regardless of what form our achievements take, everything should be done as a sacrifice of grateful praise to the Lord who enables us. This is more than simply tacking on a “I give God the glory” when interviewed about a touchdown. This means that we do it in such a way as to please the Lord. We don’t cheat, we don’t cut corners, we don’t break the law.

 

Paul gives us a great epitaph. What an awesome achievement! To be able to say at the end of one’s life – I have kept the faith.

 

We need to be cautious that in our attempts to achieve we don’t cut corners, make allowances for sin, and in the process lose everything.

 

Jesus’ ultimate achievement will be demonstrated at the Second Coming when all the saints rise, the devil is defeated and He is revealed as King of kings and Lord of lords.