What is success? When your signature changes to an autograph!

That’s an interesting way to look at it. When Donald Trump, Barack Obama, or Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta were 18 years old, chances are good nobody wanted their autographs — but now? Some of you may be wondering about the third name. She’s a little better known now by the name Lady Gaga!

For many athletes today, their name or endorsement is worth major money! Just a few weeks ago, Luke Kuechly, a 24 yr. old football player for the Carolina Panthers, was all smiles after signing a five-year contract through the 2021 season worth $62 million — That comes out to $12.4 million per year! Does that sound like success to you? Ironically, within a week of signing that contract, Luke was injured and missed three games due to a concussion. He’s also raking in big bucks in endorsements from Pepsi and CPI Security, among others.

I can’t help but think of a number of years ago when one of the most popular product spokesmen was Bill Cosby for Jello pudding. Now Mr. Cosby can’t pay someone to be his spokesman — except maybe legal representation!

It’s easy to make comparisons of success and failure, but it becomes a great perspective when we remember Scripture found in Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.” All of us are in the same boat; none have escaped. We are all successful sinners that are dependent on the only one truly capable of succeeding in life.

Jesus Christ is the only “Righteous One” and it is only in His righteousness that we place our hope.

He has achieved what none of us could.

He paid for and bought our freedom.

He has accomplished for us what we couldn’t.

He has attained our access to God, the Father and our success is in Him.

So if you’ll forgive raw analogy, that’s the jackpot in life that is truly priceless!