Rather than trying to make a success of yourself, ask God to do the job.

Throughout history the “formula for success” has changed according to the times. An older formula would be something like “Put your nose to the grindstone.” Since we don’t use grindstones anymore (and we certainly wouldn’t want to stick our noses on one), we’ve come up with more current formulas, such as “Change or die.”

Here is a success formula as timeless as God Himself (which stands to reason, since God came up with it): “Repent and be saved.” Now, we admit that you are more likely to see this formula on a street preacher’s sign than the cover of a self-help book. It doesn’t exactly inspire you to go out there and make something of yourself.

But God doesn’t want you to go out there and make a success of yourself, at least not in the spiritual sense. What He wants you to do is ask Him to make you successful.

Beg the Lord to save you–all you who are humble, all you who uphold justice. Walk humbly and do what is right. Zephaniah 2:3