Have you noticed that rich, famous, creative people are often unhinged lunatics? Many of the most successful humans in society are melancholy drug addicts. Despite wealth, popularity, and a huge platform for self expression, these folks are deeply unhappy. How come?

Well, as a successful artist myself, I’ll tell you…

“John, you pompous jerk! You’re not rich and famous! Tons of people don’t think you’re funny! Most of the planet has never even heard of you! You are NOT successful!!!”

Yes! The reason so many rich and famous people are miserable is they agree with your definition of success.

As a successful artist myself, I’m keenly aware of my desire for approval…scratch that. I don’t just want approval, I want adoration. I want to be worshipped. My wicked heart constantly tells me that I deserve your attention. I’m smart, and interesting, and everything I say should be recorded. Everything I create belongs in a museum. My ideas are profoundly important. I’m an infinite fountain of creativity. These are the toxic beliefs that would destroy me were it not for the grace of God.

The problem with self expression is that I quickly run out of material. There isn’t much to express in my self. Every good thing about me came from the maker of my soul. I didn’t make any of it.

On the flipside, I don’t worry when the spotlight shifts away from me. I didn’t deserve to be center stage in the first place. I don’t measure success by the amount of money in the bank or the number of followers on social media. I succeed when I glorify Christ.

John the Baptist was another successful artist. Like a true creative type, he wore crazy clothes, ate bugs, and said outrageous stuff. He attracted a lot of fans. When Jesus showed up, some of John’s fans were upset because Christ was getting a lot of attention. The spotlight was shifting away from John to shine on Jesus. John fans didn’t know how to measure success.

Me and John the Baptist have similar goals. We both know that Jesus is more important than whatever we’re doing. The challenge is remembering that when people start applauding and patting me on the back. Failure is when I want what belongs to Jesus.

(John 3:27) John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”