How do you define success? Join us in our new series called “God Gives True Success” and let us see success from the point of view of the Word of God.

Sinabi sa kanya ni Abner, “Tigilan mo na ako. Iba na ang habulin mo at samsaman ng kanyang dala.” Ngunit hindi ito pinansin ni Asahel.  

2 Samuel 2:21

Many grew up with these encouraging slogans: “Follow your dreams!” “Follow your passion!” “Let your passion drive you to success!” and “You can do anything if you put your mind to it!” These are very helpful, especially kung minamaliit ka ng mga nasa paligid mo. If you take these mottos to heart, you’re led to believe that there’s no obstacle you can’t overcome, no challenge you can’t surmount. Ang sarap pakinggan! Totoo kaya?

Let’s remember that we are humans, and we have limitations, whether we admit it or not. Maybe we are still too young, o kulang tayo sa kaalaman, training, o experience. Or maybe, mas lamang lang talaga sa maraming bagay ang taong ating binabangga. Ganito ang nangyari sa tila ambisyosong si Asahel when he pursued Abner, the general of King Saul’s army (2 Samuel 2:17-23). In this battle, David’s army defeated Saul’s army that’s why nag-retreat na sila General Abner. Pero hinabol pa rin sila ng army ni David, and Asahel was determined to kill Abner. Maybe he thought tataas ang kanyang status as a soldier kung mapatay niya si Abner at makuha ang armas at armor nito. He didn’t realize na malakas at magaling talaga sa art of war si Abner. Kung hindi ba naman ay maaabot ba niya ang ranggo sa army ni King Saul na katumbas ng Chief of Staff ng AFP natin ngayon? Asahel underestimated Abner. In the end, Abner killed Asahel to stop him from pursuing him.

Hindi masamang mag-ambisyon. Lalong hindi masama na i-overcome natin ang ating personal limitations. What is harmful is ignoring our limits and being reckless. The better approach is i-acknowledge natin ang ating limits and look for more effective ways so we can overcome the challenges before us. Most of all, let’s ask the Lord to show us if our ambitions are right, and if they are, God will give us true success.

Join us again tomorrow for the continuation of our series “God Gives True Success.”