Alongside the hot chocolate, fireplace Livestream, and copious amounts of Benylin, Emergen-C, and naps, I’ve come to an interesting predicament.

You see, people often say that an overnight success takes a decade or so of work. This is certainly not wrong, but I don’t think people understand how it feels to be one.

I’m certainly not rich and famous, but by all measures, it seems that I have come close (or as close as I want to be anyway). What happens when you are content where you are, yet opportunities continue to pile in like a violent snowstorm you didn’t ask for?

At first glance, I’d say go get your shovels and snowplows as your ship has finally come in. Opportunity comes in all shapes and sizes and it is up to the individual (yes, you) to see it as such and take action. However, after the nth snowstorm, the body and mind can no longer manage the constant barrage of snow (or in this case, opportunity). At a certain point, you just want to cuddle up to the fire with some hot chocolate and get some rest.

So much has happened this year that it has been difficult for me to digest everything. Typically, I have enough time between large events that I can mentally process it and store it away in its proper place. This year, however, it seems as soon as I start this process, another event takes its place. In saying this, however, I realize that my overall temperament certainly does not help me in this area as the creative juices flow and ideas spark when you least expect them. Case in point, I wrote a book from idea to Amazon in less than 30 days. I didn’t plan to write a book this year, but it happened.

The crux of the issue, if we want to call it that, is the constant push toward a brighter future. The correct sacrifice today will make for a better tomorrow. God created this world with this law in place, and so who am I to argue against it? So, if this is true, then what happens when you continue to push for a brighter future and find yourself close to the sun? If Icarus is any example, you simply burn out towards the ground.

Currently, I find myself on a tightrope. I can continue the balancing act juggling every “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity in perpetuity, or decide what opportunities I will fall for.

When I began writing out goals for myself a decade ago, I knew that one day the goals would lead me somewhere. I thought it best to define these goals for myself rather than have life dictate where it wanted me to go. After a steady few years of achieving the goals I’ve set for myself, it became natural for me to always pursue the next thing. The next thing would be achieved, then I’d be onto the next thing knowing that one day, I’d achieve something far more than I ever thought possible.

The funny thing about goal setting is that the goal is not the item itself, but rather the journey. The journey of achieving numerous milestones over a decade builds you into a formidable force. I have missed goals by a mile, set myself up for failure intentionally so that I could learn faster, and damaged my body requiring many months of healing. In the end, however, comes a stronger version of yourself that can withstand many of the issues life throws at all of us.

As I define success for myself (and you should as well), here’s a very short list of achievements that have occurred over the years:

1. Forgave my biological father for everything he did and did not do.
2. Survived two years of long-term and short-term memory loss.
3. Walked down the Red Pill rabbit hole and came out ‘enlightened.’
4. Improved my overall health and fitness and improved all body deficiencies.
5. Completed university and college, and became a CISSP (i.e., Masters Degree).

Looking back, I don’t even think the John of 10 years ago would even recognize the John of today. If anything, I think he’d be so proud of what he’s become.

However, there’s still one question that’s been on my mind for a few years now:

When is enough good enough?

The answer is quite simple really, as is with the majority of the issues we face in life (note I said simple, not easy). This answer is this:

With Jesus, you are enough.

Without Jesus, you will never be enough.

You see, Jesus already paid the price for you to be enough.

It is such a shame to see everyone from friends, acquaintances, and co-workers all strive to climb the corporate ladder. I mean, I’ve certainly been there before (who doesn’t want that massive salary and prestigious title?). Well, the funny thing is that God will grant you the desires of your heart, as long as they align with his.

I used to hope and pray to climb the corporate ladder faster than anyone I knew. God has changed my heart from one of selfish desire to one of serving in dark places.

And dark places are where He brings me.

This is certainly no surprise as I’ve always dabbled in the dark out of curiosity. However, these days it’s more to be a “light in a dark place”. Ever go on an extreme hiking challenge and witness your friend faint? Ever been on the brink of yourself and cried because there’s nothing left for you to give? These types of “living on the edge” events are regular occurrences in my life, to see what God wants to do through me.

Although the past me still wants to achieve the top of any hierarchy, the present me no longer wants to. Why should I slave away for something that doesn’t satisfy? Well, as it turns out, if you make the right sacrifices, God will direct you to where He wants you to be. Sometimes that staying where you are at, and other times to leave.

For myself, it’s the possibility of moving across the country, giving up comfort for the unknown, and not looking back. I’ve always stated that I will uproot everything if God calls me to. So few understood what I meant when I said it. Perhaps my actions will allow them to understand what it means to listen to God and obey Him.

So, as He continues to lead me into dark places, I’ll conclude with this:

Please, for the love of God, reconsider what you are sacrificing to achieve. For some, we aren’t sacrificing enough (and our time, energy, and money reflect it). For others, we continue to sacrifice for the wrong things and get bad fruit. However, I urge every one of us to listen to what God is saying and to take it seriously (by taking action).

Here’s a good check if you are on the right path: if you are not ridiculed by the world (or by others around you), perhaps you are not doing what God has called you to do.

The world rejected Jesus, so why would we try to be at the top of it?