Successful but Desperate

Howard Hughes (1905-1976) was born into a wealthy family and had all the privileges that come in a rich family. Howard’s father and mother had both passed by the time he was 18 years old, and the family business passed to him. Over the next decade Howard grew his father’s business and launched a Hollywood production company which produced several films. Howard expanded into aeronautics by establishing Hughes Aircraft Company. These successful companies produced a large amount of wealth. At the height of his wealth, he was considered one of the wealthiest men in America. Howard had everything this world could offer. Wealth, fame, and women. He offered one European actress large sums of money to leave her husband to come to America to star in his films and become his mistress. She wisely declined. Howard had everything this world could offer and it all was empty. Howard spent much of the second half of his life in isolation and fear. He became fearful of those around him, fearful of germs and catching a disease that may cut his life short. He removed himself from the world and all the pleasures of it, dying in a fearful lonely state. Howard’s journey reminds us of what Solomon learned and expressed in Ecclesiastes 2:10-11. “And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold all was vanity and a striving after the wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun,” (ESV).

Haaman like Howard, had everything. He was an important man in his kingdom. He had wealth and the ability to come and go as he pleased. With all this power and wealth, he develops leprosy. How devastating that must have been for Naaman to be at the top and see it all crumbling around him. Now, like Solomon and Howard Hughes, Naaman understands the full sting of “and behold all was vanity.” Leprosy in Naaman’s time was a disease that would slowly isolate the person from society. All that Naaman accomplished in life would slowly ebb away. Naaman will soon realize that the only real answer to his situation is God.

This is an important reminder that the things of this world are temporary and fleeting. This is a reminder to keep our priorities straight. My #1 priority must be my relationship with God. I should try to do excellent in my career and it’s okay to build wealth. I just cannot let those or other things impede my relationship with God. So how do I set myself up for success?

1. Anchor in God’s Word- Read the Bible not for quantity but for enlightenment. Regular daily time in God’s Word is a disinfectant to the distractions of this world.
2. Elevate your communication with God- Pray without ceasing. Regular, honest and earnest talking with God.
3. Seek God as your sanctuary- “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken,” Psalm 62:1-2 (ESV). Run to God with the cares and praises of this world.

Turn these three principles into action and God will stay at the top of your priority list.