There seems to be at least three sorts of people – I am not an anthropologist, if you please – in our society. There are the silver spoons, the plastic forks and the majority of us can place ourselves as midlers.

We are halfway between the haves and the have-nots. In non-technical terms, we have been able to make a living, have a few nice things and can take a vacation, or at least a few days off now and then. We also know about those families who barely make it and might as well be classified as poor.

There are the migrant laborers and those whose jobs are low pay and can never depend on a steady income. These are families that must go to bed hungry, get up hungry and only dream of having three filling meals a day. That's being poor.

I wonder why we have such extremes and why God allows this to happen. We could just as easily have been refugees who live on snakes, grass, banana stalks, rodents or whatever can be eaten. For whatever the reason, I am what I am. We are what we are. There still is a purpose for us. Hang on to that thought for a while.

I remember asking my Economics professor back at Marshall University for his definition of success. He said, "Success is when I see an island while taking a cruise and asking my broker and agent who are traveling with me if I can buy it and they say, "Yes."

Let's move away from the money side and talk about academic achievement, sound investment, a position of authority. How about a 300 game in bowling, breaking par on the golf course, paying off the credit card, passing a History exam, remembering everyone's name at an open house or winning an argument with the boss?

Ah, that is what we hope for. However, let's talk about us between folks. It's a way of life not at all unhappy, and we can pretty well do what we want. A big night out might mean Taco Bell or Cracker Barrel. An exotic place is not Bali but Disney World or maybe Six Flags. We are the people that make up the regular throng.

In the middle 1960s, a book came out called, "The Peter Principle." It dealt with job promotion. There are those employees or professionals who are very competent in their jobs. They know what they are doing and are very qualified. But then something happens. They are promoted to the next higher position of trust, to a supervisor, vice president, department manager, first chair or first team and these highly skillful capable people fail, miserably. They have reached the level of incompetency, promoted beyond their capabilities. The salesman can't close the deal, the second stringer can't play under pressure, the sailor can't tie a square knot, the driver doesn't know the rules of the road.

"I can't do it! I am afraid!" Here it comes!

What does the Christian do? How does a Christian act? What does a Christian say? "I'm used to being a heathen, it's easy being a heathen." Jesus says, "Don't be afraid. I will not entrust any job to you that you cannot fulfill. I will teach you, direct you, help you, encourage you."

Being a Christian does not mean being successful! The word is faithful! Listen! I cannot find one time that Jesus ever spoke the word success, not once. The word faith? "Well, done, good and faithful servant." Not be a winner, champion, hero, achiever, or even best of the bunch. Just faithful.

"Well done! Enter into the joy prepared for you!"

Thanks, God!