The Parable of the Sower 5: Redefining the Notion of Success

The fruit of a flourishing spiritual life is marked by a humility and self-restraint borne out of compassion for others, which prompts the question: are we pursuing prosperity for our own sake and glory, or do we perpetuate our blessings outwards in order to bless those around us? It is often in the valleys of life where we grow in our capacity to reciprocate prosperity; for although the painful seasons we endure seem so full of futility and waste, they are actually the very resources God uses to transform our hearts to care about other people and their stories. When God grows our compassion from our brokenness, and that compassion drives us to connect to the people around us, the glory of God truly shines and fills us with real joy, understanding, and love.