“I want to be an assistant.”

I wonder since when there’s a standard for a ‘successful life’? In this new age, the most common way to measure success will be money, title and career. A billionaire that owns a huge company compares to a person who lives a normal life, which would be called ‘successful’ by the society in current era?

Sharing a very quick personal experience. This is my sixth year working, and to be honest, that internship back in 2016, my very first job, being an artist assistant was one that gave me most satisfaction by far. Although is not a high position role that leads or take charge, I still find it satisfying & felt contented, ensuring my artist are at their best condition, help turning those ideas to real; I can no need to be the one coming out with ideas or have the final say. However, the funny thing is that, thought like this being said as ‘unambitious’, and it is sort of a negative word in this current era. People would admire a CEO or a Manager, but no one would ever think an Executive who does his/her job perfectly as ‘successful’.

How does a ‘good life’ looks like to you? With the influence of social media nowadays, by seeing all those nice café & food photos, OOTD, travel vlogs, etc. posted online by influencers/content creators, are you being brainwashed that only those are counted as a ‘good life’? I admit I am. Whenever there’s a new café, I’d make sure I check-in. When travel, I would want to take all the similar photos shared by the influencers that went before. And to be very transparent, I do this because it makes me feel good, because it shows that I’m living a ‘good life’.

Have you ever wonder why whenever we see people travel, we will have the thought that they are living a good life? There’s a saying: “Travel is leaving the place that you've had enough of to another place where the people live there have had enough of.”

Since when normal days become normal and unappreciated? Why no one defines a happy marriage and family as successful? We would thank God for that promotion, but how often we thank God for daily protection and health?

Throwback to early this year, I’ve shared an article of how I gotten my current job, and I remember God taught me that is never ‘my thought’ but His thoughts. These few months in this new job, I never stop asking God, how this gonna help me get to that future career I want? And here’s what God taught me this round.

1. Not my life, but God’s Will & Plan

I realized I’ve been focusing too much on the life, the career I WANT; those people I want to meet and work alongside with. I’ve been fixing my gaze on it too much, until I forget that this life was never mine to decide. It can be quite dangerous if we are not aware of this, because from a human perspective, I pursue my dream & goal, aren’t that a good thing?

However, here’s the problem, I never (or should say dare not) cross-check with God if this aligns with His plan and calling for me, or is purely my own desires. Our highest desire shouldn’t be for our will to be done, but for His will to be done.

For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. – Colossians 1:16

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me. – John 6:38

2. Break Me

I realize I find it harder to pray to God, saying “You can have it ALL.” With this kinda smooth sailing good life I’m living now, I’m too afraid to lose it. What if I prayed that prayer, and God throws me challenges and troubles? … I know, I know, God assured us a lot of times, that He will always be with us, and will not give us things we couldn’t handle; but yeah, this is how weak our faith can be sometimes, and this is how easy we can slowly get further from God.

I was going through this devotional called “Dangerous Prayers”, and one of it titled “Break Me”. Often, we pray and ask God for a good life, no lack of provision, work to be smooth, protection & health, loved ones to be good, etc., because we all want to avoid troubles and worries in life. However, Jesus ‘broke’ His body for us. (Luke 22:19); the Word also said, we need to ‘lose’ our life in order to find it (Matthew 16:25). Jesus said it, He did not invite us to a life of comfort and ease, but one with surrender and sacrifice (Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23).

The question here is, do we trust God enough to have the faith and courage to be dare enough to say: “Break me, oh God.”? Do you know, there are gifts from God that we gonna miss out if we continue to stay in this bubble of ‘good life’.

In conclusion.

I’m not saying that it’s no good to live a good life or pursue for higher achievements. Go ahead! I just to share that no matter what kind of life you’re living, as long as you find joy, peace and feeling content about it, then it’s a good one. There’s no need to compare or feeling envy nor anxious. Also, always remember to align your life with God’s path for you; it’s okay to ask God to ‘break’ you once in a while, you will definitely receive something greater ahead!

I would end this article by sharing you one of my favorite mandarin song《平凡的一天》 (An Ordinary Day). It describes a very normal and slow pace lifestyle, yet everything seems to be so beautiful and perfect (official translate of the song title is ‘Perfect Day’).

I hope all you who read this article will be able to find your kind of ‘Perfect Day’ as well. Loves.