When Life Doesn’t Go Your Way
Christ the King Transforms Our View of Power, Success & Glory
Photo by Pro Church Media on Unsplash
It’s Christ the King Sunday and I’ve been reflecting on how Christ came to transform our view of power, success, and glory.
I don’t think my view of power, success, and glory will ever be the same after knowing Christ. He has flipped it upside down. In Christ, power is in the hands of the small and humble, success lies in being faithful, making a difference in the lives of others and being a true disciple; and glory is not ours alone, but what we share together in being children of God.
Conversely, most of us view power, success and glory in individualistic ways: reaching the highest heights of our career, being the most in control, gaining wealth, and having everything we want. In the ways of the world, power, success, and glory is seen as what I have achieved through my means, not God’s means.
I know people who have achieved great power, success, and glory in the world, and the truth is, it doesn’t lead to the happiness, peace, or fulfillment that you think it does.
When I reached the peak of leadership level in my current career which I had been striving for, I rejoiced for a day and then felt an emptiness, stress, and weight on my shoulders in the days that followed. But every time I reach a new height of virtue or the spiritual life, I feel more lasting joy and fullness.
Worldly power, success and glory is fleeting and the way to emptiness. It lacks the joy and fullness that Christ’s way does. Once I know this truth, how does it change what I’m striving and living for in life?
About the Author
Katie Zalany lives in Cleveland Ohio. She is a Third Order Secular Franciscan (OFS), spiritual director, benefits/wellness leader, and certified health and life coach. She volunteers with St. Vincent de Paul Society serving the poor, is an active mentor to many individuals, and a prolific writer. Her writing interests and focus areas include spiritual development, reflections on the Gospel life, Franciscian spirituality, prayer, and integration of faith and work/daily living. She is the published author of Called to Corporate: Lessons of Growing in Faith and Holiness from the Corporate Cubicle.
