There is a precious hymn that was rendered particularly superbly by James Moore back in the previous century (Moore’s version came in two parts – the first one here and the second one here – you get the link to hear it and enjoy it). That hymn is The Old Rugged Cross which has that marvellous line about clinging to that old rugged cross and exchange it one day for a crown.
I am not blind to the fact that the world around me likes the thought of victory and success. It loves accomplishments and achievements. Prestige and honour are afforded those who have marks of success in their lives. It’s not just about being gifted, it’s about the combination of what you do with that gift to attain something noteworthy. Similarly at the start of a specified period of time people can set themselves goals to achieve that marks progress and success.
There were certainly things that I hoped to achieve in 2022. I did not achieve all of them. Some were taken off the list completely. Some had to be postponed in the pursuit of other priorities. Yet, thanks be to God, I have been able to have a sight of success.
Success to me starts off with being faithful and obedient to what God has called me to do. I started the year married and at this stage of the year remain married to the same woman – that’s something that’s happened over quite a few years now, but to still say that as the year comes to an end is something to remark on as a success. The marriage is not the same as it was last year. It has been stretched and challenged, but it has not weakened or faltered beyond hope. That’s a huge success to me that I’m grateful to God for as well as the character of the woman He gave me as my wife.
The next success is similar to it. Our immediate family unit has developed and maintained its unity over the year in the light of significant developments with all of the children. That is not something we take for granted. As we know only too well the stage of development in the lives of our children brings with it some serious challenges of working out and discovering identity. The three children in the home are at critical stages in their development and they could have fallen prey to so many traps and tricks of the evil one. That they remain relatively healthy and at least aware of the value of life is another success that I give God thanks for especially that our relational bonds between each other remain highly valued.
This year has seen me have the privilege of coming alongside and tutoring some individuals in academic pursuits. Those who faced exams this year all passed and exceeded expectations which is an accomplishment that I’m delighted about more for what it says about those individuals than for whatever might be accredited to my input. Seeing individuals exceed expectations is something I love to support and observe and it motivates me in the area of tutoring as does the wonderful camaraderie that’s developed with these individuals that I serve.
Being faithful and obedient has opened opportunities to speak at different events on the wodnerful realities of God and His Word. I love doing that and it’s great getting positive feedback from those who have listened to it. Just as valuable is the sense of success of having heard, studied and prepared keenly on what I was supposed to deliver and then not only do that but have the platform to enable others to likewise share their considerable gifts and talents for the benefit of others.
The Dryden Blog Conversation was a huge success over the first half of the year and typified success in the other media outlets that I’ve had the chance to work on. Word In Word Out launched as a podcast was a sight of success. For Reading Out Loud was a project that I had in mind for a while and to see that get going was something I was delighted with.
Success was also experienced on a relational level with the nature of some of those conversations and engagements leading to people taking strides in their understanding of who God is and the importance that plays in life decisions. I so love those opportunities to do life with saints of God and share in some rich insights on Kingdom matters.
I am grateful to God for His abundant generosity through the year in these sights of success. Not everything has worked out this year and there have been setbacks, disappointments and failings. I am even grateful for those, however, for God’s mercy through those episodes – forgiving, restoring, humbling, consoling and refocusing me. Those make me all the more keen to appreciate those sights of success whenever they come along. This is done in the hope of clinging to the cross and one day exchanging it for a crown and even then having the wonderful opportunity of throwing that crown at the feet of Jesus in praise and adoration for who He is and the ultimate victory God gives me through Him.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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