Can you name the USA national college football champion in 2019? Or name the winner of American Idol in 2022? What was the best-selling Christian novel in 2023? Or, even harder, name two of the top five top best-selling Christian nonfiction books of 2019, only five years ago.
My point is that success is fleeting. On top today, forgotten tomorrow. But that depends on your definition of success, doesn’t it? Authors and artists tend to depend on adjectives like “bestselling” to “award-winning” to define whether or not they are doing a good job. The problem is that the arts rarely have a method to quantify success. So sales numbers, awards, or bestseller lists become the criteria upon which everyone relies.
We like to celebrate our clients who achieve bestseller status or receive a major award. They are confirmation and encouragement that is hard to achieve. At the same time, I know of writers who are wildly successful with their writing but will never garner such attention. They labor with novels or nonfiction topics that have a focus that are unlikely to capture the imagination of the commercial market or go viral on social media.
Wouldn’t it be interesting to hear the stories of authors who receive letters from readers telling of changed lives? I’ve seen a few over the years, and they can be astounding. Readers who choose life over suicide because of a book they read. Birth over abortion. Recommitment to marriage instead of divorce. God-honoring lifestyle instead of drugs or sex. Don’t know about you, but I’ll take that as a “win.” Are you willing to pursue your call to write for the sake of one reader? Someone you may never meet or never hear from? This type of success is not fleeting but eternal.
Fun Fridays – July 26, 2024
Thank you for acknowledging the more “behind the scenes” measure of success. That affirmed the work I need to do today.
After one such letter, I told myself, “I’d have written this book just for that one person.” Thanks for reminding me.
Oh yes! And as Christian authors the idea that someone might know more about Christ from your work and be Saved is enormous! What if you only helped one person find eternity. That’s like 1 X infinity. It equals infinity. You can’t beat that number.
My thoughts exactly!
A woman wrote to tell me she quit her job and enrolled in nursing school, dumped her deadbeat boyfriend, and reconciled with her adult children after reading my first book. That one letter has inspired me to continue writing books. No awards or commercial success could top that one letter. Gratitude is a powerful motivator.
Thanks for the reminder that my primary job on earth is to point others to Jesus.
Have a great day!
Thanks Steve. Very encouraging and so true. This helps set my writing day off on a hopeful, productive note.
Amen! When people ask me how my book is selling, I’ve starting saying, “I don’t really know, but I am hearing stories of how it is helping people. That is what matters most to me.”
Steve:
I average an email a week from readers. Mostly appreciative. But also an occasional slam which used to upset me, but now amuses me.
The most humbling note was just three lines long that included the words “I was at a point in my marriage where I was ready to throw in the towel when a friend suggested I read it. This will be our 20th anniversary. My marriage is saved within two days!! Unbelievable! Thank you again! Jessica”
I keep a print out of that email handy just to remind me never to take any of this for granted.
/jay
This is a fabulous blog. Puts it all in perspective. I have found much more satisfaction in those readers’ letters and how stories and books have changed lives. I truly believe when we get to heaven, we will see exactly how much our writing affected others for eternity’s sake.
Steve, thanks for the reminder that in defining success should never come from external accolades. Like you mentioned, those can be encouraging, but they shouldn’t be defining.
I loved this post. You got me thinking about my definition of success. Thank you.
Amen, Steve. The encouragement of changed lives is a beautiful reminder that our work has, by God’s grace, and made a difference. And yet beyond that, I think there is another measure of success–the success of a life lived in obedience. Of writers who speak God’s word faithfully because they know they’ve been called by God to do that very thing…whether anyone listens to them or not. In our process of writing with God, of faithfully walking with him, we ourselves are changed. We delight God. We glorify him. And we will one day hear words that proclaim our success: Well done, good and faithful servant.
…but Lord I wrote books in your name….and they were bestsellers…
I never knew you.
I want to be well KNOWN in heaven!
Amen Steve!
Amen Connie —1x infinity
and Amen Erin—Well done good and faithful servant!
Very nice -both the blog and the responses.
Great post, Steve. Fulfilling the purpose of the one who called us is success. Touching lives for him will always be the best accolades we can receive. Sure, we love to garner other recognition, but to know we’ve helped someone on their journey touches our soul and lifts it to the heavens.
Love this blog!
Lorraine
Awesome post, Steve. Though tonight’s winner will go down in the halls of history as being the winner of the first Play off game. 😉
But you are so right how fleeting success can be. We cannot get our identity in temporal things but in eternal, in who He says we are! “Beloved.”
Thanks for the shout out and GO BUCKEYES!!!!!
Rachel
Or they will go down in history as the LOSER of the first CFP championship game.
It’s not like we hold a grudge or anything but it is tough for us in Arizona to forgive Ohio State for beating Arizona State in the Rose Bowl in 1997. After all, it has only been 18 years and people still talk about it.
I remember that great ’97 Rose Bowl Game. 😉
Hi Steve and Rachel,
We don’t often hold grudges in Boise, either … you remember, BSU is in the “Little Sisters of the Poor” conference… 😉
Seriously, I enjoyed your post, Steve. I’m a new writer, and I began writing my novel as a legacy for my children and grandchildren. If that’s as far as it goes, I’ll be satisfied; but if others are edified, that would great too.
Thanks for the encouraging blog.
Wow! That was just what I needed to hear at a time I needed to hear it! Your definition of success is spot-on: changing lives. I’m stuck tight in that worldly definition of success, even though I know it’s not the appropriate definition.
My new goal in this area is to restructure how I view my own success: “Success is being where God wants me to be, doing what He wants me to be doing.” This new definition of success could become my ‘Word of the Year’ (thanks, Karen Ball, for introducing me to that concept!)!
It’s so easy to get caught up in the bestseller WATCH or the Amazon ranking WATCH. This is a needed and timely reminder, Steve.
Which reminds me, one of the most rewarding letters I ever received was from a woman who told me that she hadn’t been active in a church for many years. After reading my books, she decided to try again. Now she is in a place where she is nurtured and learning!
So pleased that God was able to use words from my computer to His glory.
Right. On.
Thanks Steve, I’ve seen many definitions of “success”. However, I like your’s the best. It keeps everything in the right perspective.
To God’s glory.
I hate to admit it, but I was caught up in the world’s definition, so thanks for the reminder and getting me on the right path.
Amen. I am just about finished reading Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado. Such a great book about finding your sweet spot. So many stories in here…including one about how he (Max) sat at a table in a book store waiting to sign books. A customer came up to him…”You write books?” the customer asked.
“I do. Want me to sign it?”
“No thanks,” he answered and left.
Just a great chapter in the book about “tanking your reputation.”
Success is about knowing our sweet spot and using it for the Glory of God. Max says, “Imagine if everyone worked for the audience of One.”
A great blog today about defining success. Thanks!
Oh…one more thing…Go Packers!
Blessings.
Thank you for the reminder and words of encouragement. It so easy to get lost in the world’s view of success that we forget Christ’s definition for success. So many times I need to be reminded who I am truly writing for…an audience of One.
Beautiful thoughts, Steve! Success, measured in awards and sales figures is fleeting. But the eternal rewards that come from obedience, dedication, and sacrifice are immeasurable.
Great post. I really needed to hear that.
I’m no best-selling author, as Steve knows! I’ve had to learn the hard way that it’s not up to me and my efforts to determine my worth – or my patch – as a writer. Sometimes we do receive gifts in the form of letters. I write about an amazing way God used some devotionals I wrote during an earthquake in New Zealand in my blog: http://www.amyboucherpye.com/2014/05/23/life-changing-words-how-god-used-a-devotional-during-a-crisis/ (hope it’s okay to put that link, Steve).
Thanks for this reminder, which I needed to hear today. Oh, and I don’t care about college football, but LOVE Rachel’s writing! She has a lot of fans in the UK!
You are so right, Steve. When I worked at Focus on the Family, I remember Dr. Dobson speaking about how the world will “trash your trophies” and one of his examples was seeing his first book in a discount bin.
I knew when I started working on my novel that I would, most likely, have a small readership because of my platform. So I had to decide if I would write anyway. Not that it was ever really a question. . . .
The point is that the conjecture of the publishing world, that printing and promoting another milk Christian project… is being proved by the universe to be a chart line that starts with some high interest, and quickly flat lines unto forgetfulness. (Hence, Christian books that sell for $25 are sold six months later for 25¢ at the garage sale table.)
What is the universe telling us is the Return on Investment in such?
Rather, the world needs a thing like happened in 1776. It took many decades of thoughtful, independent thinking, wherein the second-greatest docs in the history of the world were created! First docs were the OT and NT. The second most important docs in history are the Dec. of Indie ’76, Constitution and Bill of Rights. This really took about a hundred years to put together. (Might through in the Gettysburg Address, wherein mutual dedication to self-restraint is proscribed!)
So, what you need is this: A project so controversial, but at the same time incontrovertibly True by all High Measure Standards… and self-shaming to major institutions by the evidence they are so behind the ball… that this project starts with a low acceptance rate, that climbs, and climbs, and over more time climbs, and becomes understood as a major help unto mankind.
Anything like this is, by definition, prophetic. That means that the day has now come when Evangelical mighties have to come to the table of truth… and forever decide betwixt two things… either shenanigan church and rapture-mania, give-to-get-greed, emergent-gobbledygook…. is the path to the future of all-powerful-rube-control…. or needs to be flushed down the toilet…. because prophetically, we are now given a choice… to do the greater, the harder thing… to live in truth, instead of mouthing a textual truth and walking in a shenanigan spirit fead by fear, greed, laziness and other unclean entities.
So, this project would make major ministries question themselves for the first time, the fact they’ve never had a debate whether selling subtext evil emotion Gospiel is good and if the fruit of that is good? Or does it explain the infinite explosions and implosions of empowered ministries who sell the philosopher’s stone of “support my ministry-and-God-will-return-the-monies-sent-by-you-to-us”… etc.
So, it is going to be a tough New Millennium, at first. But truth will win, and things will truly be better and folk will love listening to 60s music, which had hope and life, and not the worship-weakness praise music of today’s ratted-out condition. So it will be a restoration of all good things!
I heard George Clooney’s acceptance speech at the Golden Globes and remembered I had recently read similar sentiments, about the true measure of success. It was this blog post. Thank you.
“I don’t remember what awards Lauren Bacall won. I just remember her saying “You know how to whistle Steve, just put your lips together and blow.” And I have no idea what kind of hardware Robin Williams took home but I sure remember carpe diem and “Seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary.” I’ll never forget that. So congratulations to all of you for having a very good year.” – George Clooney
I could once run for miles and miles,
and was a wonder at the gym,
but now I can’t, but am all smiles
because I put my trust in Him.
I was on my way to dreams
(He who dies with most toys wins!),
and now my nights are marked by screams,
but I have pushed on past the sins
of a grasping avarice,
of always checking out my look,
of a painted carapace,
and gaining freedom only took
the knowing that worked all to good,
that God loves as He said He would.
Oh, Andrew–AMEN, AMEN! Thank you!
Linda, thank YOU.
Thank you, Mr. Laube, for affirming eternal perspective. Among my greatest blessings as a writer have been the letters from readers who have come to Christ after reading something I wrote.
What is success but fulfilling God’s will for one’s life, regardless of what that looks like in the natural? Only He is Judge.
Thank you for blessing us with your powerful reminder.
That’s so true, Steve. In working with the children and families who came to Intermountain as a last resort for hope, sometimes the relational wounds were too deep. Sometimes the work brought healing and the child went on to gain the successful life of being okay and we do not hear of it. But once in a moment we do get the letter or call of expressed appreciation and that fills the gap in the question: “Is this worth the pain?” And the answer is “yes.”
Wow! What a great reminder and you are 100 percent correct! When I become discouraged, I remember I began writing as a ministry to Christian families. I am appreciated and my work is making a difference. Thank you for your encouraging posts!
Thank you, Steve. Looks like I’m not the only one who needed to hear this. Over the last sixteen years, I’ve studied the craft, played the game, obeyed the ever-changing rules, and, yes, I’m a better writer. But it appears the LORD wants me to labor with novels that are unlikely to capture the attention of the commercial market. So be it. To God be the glory! My part is to trust and obey.
Thank you for this blessed reminder. We write to impact others for God’s Kingdom. The Lord sees success differently than the world sees it. I wonder how John Bunyan looked at his “scribblings” while he was in prison for preaching the Bible. William Tyndale was killed for translating the Scriptures into English. Did he see much success before his death. Let us press nobly on toward our high calling in Christ!
Steve, when my first novel came out in January, I said that, if even one person gets saved as a result of my writing, it would be worthwhile. Three weeks ago, one of my neighbors who bought my novel showed up at church with a beautiful smile on her face. I’ve never seen her show such joy. That’s one. Now, I’m praying for a boatload more!
Hello, Hello, Hello,
I’m often asked, “How many books have you sold?” But I don’t keep up with those numbers. I’m usually too focused on the next story, and while I’m happy to have won a couple of awards in my genre, there is no better reward than hearing a reader say that they found inspiration in the stories I’ve written. It drives my writing.
“The world’s applause will come and go. It may temporarily satisfy the ego, but never the soul.
Your deepest creative longings will never be satiated by a response from others…or even by your own expectations. Real success simply comes down to this. Did you pursue what you were doing with God?
Macro Success occurs when you actively enter into your art with God. Doing so guarantees success because you experience success as you create—not later depending on external reactions.
What you create with God is successful before anyone sees it. Even if no one sees it. The main focus is no longer how it performs in the marketplace, but how you pursue your creativity.
Micro Success is never guaranteed, but may happen once a project is released. This could include positive reviews, strong sales, or a growing social media presence. These external aspects can be gratifying but were never meant to be the most meaningful part of your creativity.
If God is an active, intimate part of your creative process, there really is no higher definition of success.
Start there and you’ll create from a place of success rather than chasing after it.”
– Allen Arnold
“Micro and Macro Success”
Dec 20, 2023
https://www.withallen.com/blog/micro-and-macro-success
I overheard someone ask my husband if we were making a lot of money from my book. My husband replied, “Her book saves lives and that is worth more than money.”
I love this post, and I wasn’t going to comment, since I recently shared a letter from a reader on a related post. But by God’s will, this comment on my blog arrived today, and I cant resist sharing it.
“Hi Dr. Sy Garte! I just finished your book The works of His hands, and I Just wanted to thank you for writing this book!! I just graduated in May with a Bachelor’s degree in biology, and took evolution the last semester. My professor was frequently admit about disproving the existence of an intelligent designer and it really shook my faith in a way I wasn’t prepared for or expected. This book is exactly what I needed and has allowed me to gain a new perspective and continue to fall in love with science without compromising my faith, belief, and relationship with God. Thank you so much!”
Two years ago I self-published a men’s study called, “The Power of a Single Moment” through a small Mennonite publisher. I did not sell many copies for a variety of reasons.
However, my wife’s uncle recently had his spouse pass away after a long sickness, his sister passed away just after his wife, and he was not taking it well.
I sent him a copy to hopefully cheer him up and help him realize there was more to life if he was willing to have faith. One of the chapters dealt with the passing of a spouse after many years of marriage and I had hoped the chapter and the song lyrics that accompanied that chapter of the study would encourage him.
Shortly thereafter I received an email saying he read through the book in one night and it made him go back to church. He also bought 10 extra copies to pass around to friends and his pastor. He was one of the Harley-Davidson biker types and I ‘m not sure he ever went to church. So this was a true surprise!
His message made me cry. That one book was worth the effort to publish when I did and if I never sell another copy, I believe it accomplished God’s purpose.
I suppose that publishing success can be fleeting from an economic and personal success viewpoint, but from God’s perspective, that success will last forever in one man’s life.
Thanks for the story Steve
thank you to all.
Thank you for a powerful reminder of what matters most.
Thanks Steve,
A salient reminder of the real reasons why we write – to make our lives count, and improve the lives of others,
Ian