What is wrong with me?

I was watching a little christian TV today. The more I watched it, the sadder I became. The show was a fund raising telethon and they were showing story after story of successes. One story was Kurt Warner, who was struggling in his football career, gave his life to The Lord and experienced a series of successes including championships, three Superbowl appearances, one Superbowl win and multiple MVP awards. All of the stories were similar to this.

I began to think about my own life and the lives of many of my friends. We gave our lives to God many years ago. Many have given of our time, energies and finances, often as a sacrifice to ourselves and our families. Yet, few of us would be considered a successes by most people watching us. Many times we experience momentary success and we think we have finally gotten over the hump, only to see that the other side is a steep drop off into greater trials than before. Sometimes we can't help but wonder, what's wrong with me?

I know that this scenario doesn't fit well into modern American prosperity theology and I suppose that you can't raise much money telling stories like this but it is the truth for many, or maybe most Christians across the world. There are Christians in Hatti homeless right now. There are Christians in many nations in prison for their faith. There are faithful Christians in the U.S. who are jobless and in foreclosure. There are Christians who suffer with sickness and disease.

I'm sure that if we looked closely at many of the success stories that we would find that it didn't go as smoothly as it is presented. I know that going to the Arena Football League and European Football League instead of the NFL didn't feel like a success to Kurt Warner. and I'm sure that sitting the bench in NY and Arizona after winning the Superbowl MVP didn't either. I even imagine retiring after being hit hard in a play off loss doesn't feel like success to him.

I can't help but think about the Apostle Paul. While most Christians would consider him a success, we forget that most of his letters were written to correct major problems in the churches he established. Most of the letters were written while he was in prison. He was constantly in trouble with the law. He tells us he spent time hungry, naked and without shelter. He was homeless and itinerant most of his life. Most of those who ministered with him abandoned him and many left the faith. He was despised by his countrymen. Paul was finally executed by the state as a criminal.

I think there is something to be learned from the story of Job. While Job was one of the richest and most successful men of his or any time, his success isn't what gave God glory and sent Satan away in total defeat. It was Job's faithfulness when he lost everything. God doesn't brag on our earthly success but he brags to His enemies about our faithfulness. When we go through trials it might just be God bragging on us. I hope it will always be justified by our response. However, we must not forget what it says in James 5:11 "Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy". When our trial ends, God always intends a good outcome for us. Jesus gave his life so ours could last forever.