A few years ago a former colleague of mine and I would recite the famous Klingon war cry “Qapla’ batlh je”, which means success and honour, before every important meeting or trip. It was our little motivation to keep us focussed on what we wanted to achieve. Recently, the Top Women For God (TWFG) LinkedIn Group and Facebook page posted the following wise words from Joel Osteen Ministries:
“Being successful doesn’t necessarily make you great. What makes you great is when you reach back and help somebody else become great.”
This awesome piece of wisdom made me think about whether there is a standardised formula (principles) for landing a successful career. I am sure that if I had to ask everyone I know on how to obtain success in one’s career, I would probably get various answers that would depend on a number of factors which would include profession, background, personality and other factors. Now, if I had to ask a Christian within the workplace (i.e. myself), the answer would be yes, there is one standardised formula for having a successful career.
TWFG LinkedIn Group member, Vanessa Johnson provides the formula (indirectly) with the following comment to a discussion:
“Your journey to being successful is knowing that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. In return you can apply what you have been taught/read to help someone else. Knowledgeable in the Word is the Power. Seek first His Word in all you do.”
Vanessa’s statement above highlights that critical to obtaining a successful career is you knowing who you are in Christ. Knowing who you are in Christ means that you should know that the blessings of Abraham are yours today! The book of Genesis (12 – 26) illustrates how God promised to bless Abraham and made good on His promise by causing every area of Abraham’s life to prosper. Furthermore, Galatians 3: 13-14,29 (KJV) says:
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
By believing in this truth, achieving success in your career is inevitable. I can boldly state (from experience) that focussing on God not only redefines your perception of success but elevates your expectations as well. I am sure that Abraham thought that the only lack in his life was children. However, when God blessed Abraham, He blessed every area. Take your career to new heights by meditating on God’s word, prayer and trusting in His promises. This will ultimately result in knowing who you are in Christ. When you know who you are in Christ you operate boldly and successfully by grace and the will of God in your workplace.
About the Author
Gladys Chandia is a project manager and co-founder of Notable Beginnings Consulting (NBC). NBC provides business development and business linkages (FDI facilitation) services for companies that wish to penetrate new markets on the African continent. For more information email gladys@notablebeginningss.com