How I Define Success

My heart cries out to God in despair.
Why, oh, why dear God –
why did I think that what I was doing…
what I believed I was called to do…
(as your instrument I remind you)
assured my success?
Perhaps it’s how I define success…
Not that I am looking for accolades.
You know my heart.
Still, I thought you were the Great Mover…
that any obstacles I faced would be…
you know… like… removed? My path cleared?
So that the Gospel advanced… souls were saved…
lives were meaningfully changed…
I truly want that for others, and yes, I know you want that too.
It’s just…  well, you know… you’re the omniscient One… Don’t you see?
Of course, you do. Forgive my arrogance. It’s me.
It’s how I define success…
Maybe I’m the one who needs to be saved…
and that’s been the meaning of what I’ve been doing all along.

Millpond Ink Poetry, November 2022