Success is the mantra and the ambition of many in this world. Success is often associated with being able to make things happen. It is defined by power, fortune and fame. A successful person is he who can move others to do his biding, who can change the course of events by his vision and strength. Christ did not come preaching the gospel of success.
Instead, he came teaching us about fruitfulness. Many of the things we deeply long for comes not from our strength and power but from our weakness and vulnerability. The weakness of a baby and the vulnerability of the elderly teach us the value and preciousness of life like no other lesson in power or strength can. The intimacy we yearn for comes about only when we touch each others wounds and become a healing to one another. The community where we find comfort and consolation happens only when we share our brokenness and pains and in the process grow strong together.
When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
John 1:35-40