“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Galatians 6:7 NKJV
There once was an auspicious occasion where my family and I heard the lieutenant governor of Wisconsin speak on what is often described by social scientists as the success sequence for life. For example, this God-fearing Christian woman shared that researchers have discovered indisputable evidence that there are three indicators for success in life. The biblical worldview affirms that such data is due to common grace and points to creation order according to Almighty God’s design for human flourishing and the building of civilization (Gen.1:27-28).
The first of the three steps she shared that day was: 1. Graduate High School. Completing a scope and sequence of education is part of the process of coming-of-age into maturity as young men and women prepare to launch forward into life. For those young people who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, doing so for the glory of God should always be at the forefront of their hearts and minds, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor.10:31 NKJV).
The second was: 2. Get a Full-Time Job. Conventional wisdom says to pursue the necessary higher education and academic credentials that are needed for a professional career in a chosen field. For some, that may indeed be the case. Others honorably enlist in the military or apprentice themselves in the skilled trades, which is an avenue that is increasingly in demand as many in this arena are retiring with very few replacing them. Just remember that student loan debt, besides ungodly worldviews, is crushing lives and wreaking havoc upon our country.
The key is to maximize your time and money and therefore not waste it. Gap-year experiences are also an advisable route to pursue as they allow a young man or woman to invest substantial time at minimal cost into a course of study that is of particular interest to the future trajectory of their lives. The heart of it all is to live in total dependency upon God and His Word to guide the pathway of one’s life, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart…and He shall direct your paths” (Pr.3:5-6 NKJV). Never settle for anything less than God’s best!
The final step she highlighted that day was: 3. Get Married Before Having Kids. The thought of having a family of their own freaks out far too many especially because they have seldom if ever observed marriage and parenting down very well at all. Regardless of one’s life experience, God’s created order has designed for life to flourish and civilization to be advanced in the context of marriage and family life. This is one of His many blessings that are designed for our good and His and His glory.
The biblical and historical precedent is also such that as young men and women come-of-age, they are to marry young and walk through the stages of adult life together as husband and wife (Gen.2:24; Ps.127:4; Mal.2:15). This world’s brokenness is not His fault but all the pain and suffering are the result of our attempt to do it our own way. Guys tend to give love so that they can get sex and girls tend to give sex so that they can get love. Adolescent hormones are not meant to drive youth crazy but are God’s gift to drive them to their wedding day and all the attendant blessings of marriage and family life The Bible says that “Marriage is honorable among all…and the bed undefiled” (Heb.13:4 NKJV). Keep it that way!
Here’s an additional Bonus Step to experiencing success and avoiding suffering that will endure forever: 4. Get Right With God. There was this guy who was a rock-star on par with Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk who lived in the 10th century B.C. Solomon was his name and he was one of the greatest kings of ancient Israel but he pursued success in his way much to his demise. This dude was so loaded that he literally had piles of money, hundreds of sex-slaves which the Bible calls concubines, and every cool thing that he could think of he did it, bought it, or made it. At the end of the day, he was miserable and empty. Eventually, he came to his senses and wisely advised young people to “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth” and to “Fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecc.12:1,13 NKJV).
In other words, respect God and trust His Word, the Bible. Solomon’s life bears witness that all this world has to offer will never fulfill the deepest desires of our hearts. They can only be met by the Lord Jesus Christ, God Himself, who bore the wrath rebel sinners deserve when He died for their sins, because of His great love, and rose again – alive forevermore so that men, women, boys, and girls among all nations worldwide could be forgiven of their treason before God and blessed with new spiritual life by His grace through faith alone. May this be the testimony of your life and therefore successfully live to the praise of God’s glory in Christ Jesus!
*Recommended Resource: “Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization” by Brad Wilcox
