Are you accepted?

Last week, Lil Wayne received five nominations for the BET’s 2012 Hip-Hop Awards. I recently came across a story by Dr. Celeste Owens about this highly acclaimed musician …

Real Success.

“I’m a rapper — that’s who I am Miss Katie and I am a gangster and I do what I want,” declared 26-year-old Lil Wayne in an interview with Katie Couric in 2009.

But in what might have been a slip of the tongue he showed a vulnerable part of himself that shed light on his fierce independence.

Katie Couric: Your name is actually Dwayne, right?

Lil Wayne: Right. I’ll tell you right here on TV. I dropped the “D” ‘cause I am a junior. My father is living and he’s not in my life and he’s never been in my life, so I don’t want to
be Dwayne. I’ll rather be Wayne.

Katie Couric: Does he know that?

Lil Wayne: He knows now.

In that instance we learned that he too desires what we all long for: love and acceptance. I
wonder how much of his drive is simply about proving his worth to a father that rejected him long ago.

By many accounts Lil Wayne would be considered a success: six recorded albums, #1 album of 2008, Grammy award winner, and rich. But the void is evident: he smokes marijuana, in part, to alleviate excruciating migraines and drinks cough syrup that ruins the lining of his stomach. Is that what real success looks like? I think not.

But like Lil Wayne many people have come to define success by standards that are contrary to God’s plan. Jesus came that we might have life more abundantly. That doesn’t mean that everything goes our way and that life is perfect but it does mean that we are whole in Christ and don’t need to be defined by material possessions or achievements.

What is that secret dream that you believe will never happen? God says in His word, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

He also says in Ephesians 3:20-21, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Remember it is only what you do for Christ that will last. The scripture states in Matthew
16:26a, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”

If you follow God’s plan you will fulfill your destiny. Likewise, if you have fallen away and desire to be in right standing with God say this simple prayer:

“God I release my plan and vow to walk according to your purposes for my life. Not my will but your will be done.”

If you have prayed this with sincerity God will change your life dramatically. In the words of Bishop TD Jakes, “Get ready, Get ready, Get ready!”

Copyright © 2009 Dr. Celeste Owens ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Many thanks to Dr. Celeste Owens for allowing me to share her article.

Photo Credit: labguest via photo pin cc