Redefining Success as a Christian Writer

What does success look like for you? What if success isn’t about wealth, recognition, or achieving lofty goals? What if it’s something deeper, tied to eternal purpose and flourishing in every area of life? 

In this powerful episode of Anointed Scribe: Diary of a Christian Writer, we explore how God’s definition of success and prosperity challenges worldly standards, offering a richer perspective rooted in faith and obedience. 

Through heartfelt stories, scripture-based insights, and practical advice, you’ll learn how to: 

• Redefine success and prosperity beyond financial gain 
• Align your writing and goals with God’s purpose 
• Anchor your work in your “Big Why” to create lasting impact 

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a relentless cycle of chasing success—striving for numbers, accolades, or financial gain—only to feel empty and unfulfilled, then this is the episode you need to tune into today. 

Because this is where your journey to real success and prosperity begins! 

👉 Listen now to redefine your success and prosper as a Christian Writer!

Transcript

What comes to mind when you hear the word success?

Is it wealth, recognition or achieving lofty goals? Or could it be something more profound? Something tied to eternal impact and purpose? Perhaps success?

What does it mean to be successful in life, in business, and as a Christian writer?

And how does God's definition of success challenge the way we view it? If you've ever found yourself chasing numbers, reviews, rankings, or even the elusive best seller title, stick around.

This episode is going to unpack what true success looks like from from a Kingdom perspective and I hope will leave you feeling encouraged and inspired to redefine your own version of success to take you from being a writer to being an anointed scribe.

So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let's have an honest conversation about success and prosperity. This is episode 12.

I'm Urcelia Teixeira, ex real estate agent turned award winning author of Christian fiction. It wasn't that long ago that I wrote my first novel on a bucket list whim, setting the course for a spiritual journey that transformed my life.

But the journey through self publishing hasn't been easy as I soon found myself obsessing over book sales rankings and getting to the top of the shelves, all the while trying to stay rooted in Christ and live out my purpose.

But God has graciously been teaching me how to navigate the spiritual pitfalls of the brutal book publishing industry and now I'm sharing them with you. Welcome to the Anointed Scribe Podcast where each week I open my personal diary to share soul nourishing stories designed to inspire, uplift and equip you for your writing life.

If you're already a Christian author or one in the making trying to balance faith with business, you're in the right place. Because for such a time as this, you have been called to thrive as God's Anointed Scribe.

Are you ready? Let's get started.

Hey, it's your author friend Urcelia and welcome back to another episode of the Anointed Scribe Diary of a Christian Writer Podcast.

We are already in season one, episode 12 and I am just in awe of what God is doing through this podcast.

If you've been here since the beginning 12 weeks ago, I just want to say a heartfelt thank you for being part of this journey with me. This podcast was born out of pure obedience to God's calling and honestly, I'm just going with the flow on his plan.

So when I get emails or DMs from you telling me how an episode moved or impacted you in some way, I can only fall before God in awe for what he is doing.

Because just like I pray and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in my writing, I've been doing the same with this podcast. And so that's why I know every topic, every word God places on my heart is meant to speak to someone specifically at the exact moment they need to hear it, to equip and encourage you in the calling he's placed on your life.

It's all him. And I'm just here for the ride.

Now, if you're brand new to this podcast and have landed on this Episode by God Incidents, as I call it, let me officially welcome you to the Anointed Scribe Tribe.

I pray this episode blesses you deeply and inspires you to follow the show and to join me on this incredible, faithful journey of writing with God.

Just as a reminder though, I want you to take whatever I share in any of these episodes to the Lord in Prayer. And I also want you to go to the Bible and read the scriptures I share here.

Because although the content I talk about is God Breathed, they are in relation to my own transformation and journey as a Christian authority. Your journey and purpose are unique to you, so take time to seek God's guidance for personalized revelation.

So, about today's topic.

I had originally planned to share on a different topic today, but as usual, God intervened and as I sought his guidance, I felt the Spirit leading me to focus on the subject of success and prosperity instead.

Because we're at the beginning of the year and everything is about goals and achievement and success and everything else that goes with it.

You see, what started tugging on my heart was when my 12 year old knocked the wind out of my sails the other day with this seemingly simple question, he said, this:
Mom, are you a successful author? Because I googled you and you're everywhere.

Isn't that sweet? But listen, here's why it gave me pause to contemplate, because this was no shallow, boastful statement.

It was in fact a very loaded question for me. Because what I realized in those few moments was that being everywhere online, to his innocent mind, meant that I must then be successful.

Because we live in a world where online presence and social media influences seem to define success.

It's a culture where the number of likes, followers and shares often equate to value and achievement, shaping the way many measure their worth.

Even the algorithms of these platforms are designed to prioritize and reward popularity, pushing us toward a relentless pursuit of visibility and validation.

But is this really the measure of true success?

What is success really?

What does it even mean to be successful?

You see, the image the world projects to us is all about popularity and wealth. The flashy cars, the perfectly curated homes and manicured nails and the latest gadgets. Just scroll through Instagram or TikTok for a few minutes and you'll see exactly what I mean.

And so, as I sat with this, I realized how easy it is to get caught up in chasing the world's version of success.

One that's all about outward appearances, validation and temporary satisfaction, being accepted by the world.

So it really got me thinking, then what, then does success mean to me? And even more importantly, what does my success mean to God?

Clearly, the world has a very clear definition, and that is just that. Success is often tied to wealth, fame, influence and achievement.

But is that all there is? Is that it? I pour out my energy, all my energy, into reaching a specific goal. And when I finally achieve it, I feel successful, right?

But then I set an even bigger, better goal, work just as hard, reach it. And once again, I call this success.

The cycle continues, goal after goal, achievement after achievement. The goal post moves until life starts to feel like an endless hamster wheel, spinning faster and faster with no time to pause and reflect on what truly matters to me, my family, and above all, God.

Let me tell you, it's so easy to step onto that hamster wheel without even realizing it. The real challenge is figuring out how to step on off. And that's where things get much harder.

And that's the thing. So many people feel the same way. It's not just a personal struggle I have or you have. It's a widespread reality.

Recent studies reveal that a significant portion of the population feels trapped in a cycle of striving without having a clear sense of purpose.

For example, the 2021 survey found that 75% of individuals feel stuck professionally with no opportunities for growth and a constant sense of overwhelm.

Meanwhile, 61% of Brits reported feeling unfulfilled in their personal lives, caught in monotonous routines and lacking motivation.

Now, having lived in the UK for six years now, I've seen this firsthand.

So many people stuck in a cycle of routine, striving for more, yet feeling like something is still missing and they're getting nowhere.

These statistics paint a clear picture. Countless people are chasing success, but missing a deeper, more meaningful direction.

When I first started my author journey, and even up until about 18 months ago, so midway through 2023, I'll admit I bought into some of these ideals. I genuinely believed that success as an Author meant earning six or even seven figures.

That was the dream. Hitting six figures and having my books adapted into a movie or Netflix series. That's it.

And while there's absolutely nothing wrong with these goals, I found myself grappling with a deeper question.

Then what?

How long would that feeling of success really last?

Would it satisfy me? Or would I find myself chasing bigger milestones, multiple six figures or seven figures? And beyond?

Was I aligning my aspirations with God's purpose for me? Or was I letting the world's definition of success lead the way?

It was in the middle of this endless striving cycle, and I'll be honest, I still battled to let go of striving at times that I realized something was missing with this picture.

Even just imagining reaching these lofty goals doesn't completely fill me with the joy I'd expect to have. It feels hollow. It lacks meaning or purpose.

Now, I'm not saying it's wrong to have big goals or to chase better finances, or even that dreaming of a Netflix deal is unbiblical. I still have those goals myself.

But the difference is I've learned that those goals can't define my worth or purpose.

That does not mean I'm successful.

They need to align with God's plan, not overshadow it.

That's when I started asking God to show me then, what true success looks like in his eyes.

What will my business look like when it's successful in God's eyes?

Because in the world's eyes, success might look like climbing a ladder, be it in status or finances. But the Bible paints a completely different picture of what success looks like in God's kingdom.

And this is what the Holy Spirit revealed to me through Scripture.

Success as a Christian often looks more like surrender.

It looks like faithfulness, obedience, and using the gifts he's given us for his glory and his purpose.

Through prayer and seeking his guidance, I began to understand that success isn't about numbers or accolades. It's about being faithful to the calling God has placed on my life. It's about using my gifts to glorify him and make a difference in the lives of others.

What I've come to realize is that these goals are only truly meaningful when they are surrendered to God.

Instead of striving to achieve them on my own terms for my own purpose, I've started asking, Lord, how can I use these dreams to serve you? How can I honour you in this journey?

It's not about abandoning ambition, but aligning it with his purpose. And that's where I'M finding true fulfillment.

Proverbs 16:3 says, Commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans.

You want to know what this verse tells me?

It tells me that success begins when we lay our plans at his feet.

Are we committing our writing, our goals, or even our dreams to Him?

Because when we do, we allow him to shape our path according to his will into success and prosperity.

The Bible also speaks to the heart posture behind success.

In Joshua 1:8 it says, Keep this book of the law always on your lips. Meditate on a day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.

Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Success in God's eyes comes through obedience to His Word and reliance on his guidance.

You see, the way I once defined success is a far cry from how God defines it and how I see it now. As we step into 2025, I praise God for working in my heart and using the simple yet profound Questions of my 12 year old son to shake me out of this relentless hamster wheel of striving.

His words were the wake up call I needed to refocus on what truly matters.

Now my definition of success is anchored in something far deeper. It's about aligning my work with God's plan and purpose, creating stories that not only entertain but also inspire, heal and draw people closer to Him.

It's about returning to the heart of what success meant to me back in 2020 when I first stepped out in obedience to write Christian fiction.

For me, true success is about being faithful to the calling God has placed on my life. Whether my books touch the heart of one reader or reach millions, it's about the meaningful impact they have on the lives of those who read them, pointing them toward hope, faith and the love of Christ.

One verse that has deeply influenced my journey is Matthew 25:21 where Jesus says, well done, good and faithful servant. Oof. That's the ultimate definition of success, isn't it? To hear those words from our Creator?

It's not about the applause of people or how much money you have in the bank or material possessions. Because here's the truth about it. I can't take any of those things with me when I go to heaven.

Success is about the approval of God and the impact I make to building his kingdom.

Money is the byproduct, the cherry on top. It's the blessing and favor God promises after we seek his kingdom first, as Matthew 6:33 reminds us. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be Given to you as well.

When our focus is on honoring God and aligning our work with his will, the blessings will naturally follow.

Money and material success becomes the bonus, the icing on the cake, if you will. A reflection of God's favour and provision.

True success isn't measured by wealth or accolades, but by life lived in obedience to his calling and to the eternal impact it has on others.

Now, this shift didn't happen overnight. And in truth, it's an ongoing workout in my faith. Because it's easy to say money doesn't matter, but in practice, it's a lot harder, right?

Because there's rent or mortgage to pay, bills to pay, mouths to feed. But this is where I believe true surrender comes in, right? Because if you've answered God's call to write for his kingdom and you submit to his plan, you bet your bottom dollar he will provide for you and your business.

But it all starts with surrendering my definition of success and letting God redefine it for me daily. And I'll tell you, the peace that comes from aligning with his plan is far greater than any worldly accolade or how much money you earn.

Now, surrendering does not mean stop working. Okay? That's not what I'm saying. You have to work diligently and faithfully, learning and seeking knowledge and wisdom, showing up to write daily no matter what, and asking God to redefine how you see and value success versus how he sees it in your author business.

So how do we align our definition of success with God's?

I think it starts with asking ourselves a couple of hard questions.

Who am I really trying to please? Am I trying to win the approval of man or of God?

Am I measuring success by the world's standards? Money, possessions, accolades, or God's?

Does my work reflect his kingdom values?

Does it have lasting impact?

Romans 12:2 gives us a clear directive on how to align ourselves with God. It's in the Bible. God's telling us he's giving us an instruction on how to achieve success.

And it says this. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. That's your knowledge and your wisdom that comes through reading scripture and praying.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is. His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Aligning with God's view of success means stepping away from the pressure to conform and instead seeking his will in everything we do.

For me, this has meant praying over every book idea, every launch, and even every social media Post it means asking Lord, how can this glorify you?

How does this serve you and your church?

And you know what? Sometimes that means making decisions that don't make sense from a business perspective, but are deeply rooted in faith and trust. And that's fine, because I trust God, right?

And I trust that, as Jeremiah 29:11 promises, God's plans are plans to prosper me.

Which brings me to this little word, prosperity. Because, you see, the Bible links these two powerful biblical concepts in all the verses that you read these in Success and prosperity.

The Bible is full of verses where God promises prosperity to those who walk in obedience with him.

Deuteronomy 28:1 2 says this. If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow his commands, I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.

That's like fame. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.

Prosperity, fame. Here, it's tied directly to obedience and faithfulness.

But what does prosperity mean? The dictionary defines it as this. To succeed in material terms, to be financially successful. Isn't that interesting?

God literally promises us success and prosperity. And yes, in the form of material possessions and financial wealth.

But the part so many Christians miss is that this promise in Deuteronomy 28 has a caveat.

There's a big fat IF in the very first verse of this chapter before God promises abundant prosperity in verse 11. Before God will set you high above all the nations on the earth, before all these blessings will come on you, before you will prosper and be successful.

And it's this. You have to fully obey the Lord and carefully follow all his commands.

You see, success and prosperity are about more than financial gain.

While the world may measure success by material wealth, God calls us to a richer, more holistic perspective.

True success is about flourishing in every area of life. Spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and yes, even materially, as God wills through full obedience to his laws.

Prosperity in God's kingdom encompasses living a life of purpose, walking in his will, and impacting others for eternity.

As Christian writers, our prosperity might look like stories that transform lives, books that lead readers closer to Christ, or simply the deep peace of knowing we are faithfully serving his purpose.

True success and prosperity go hand in hand, in my opinion. When we align with God's will, He equips us, blesses us, and allows us to thrive in ways that glorify Him.

It's a promise that what we sow in faith will yield a harvest in his time. That's Galatians 6:9.

So does all this mean that success, then ties in with wealth? And what is true wealth, then?

The Bible has a lot to say about money, and it's not inherently bad. In fact, wealth can be a tool for kingdom work if it's used correctly. But when money becomes our ultimate goal, our sole focus, it works against our purpose, and it can ultimately lead us away from God's purpose.

So before you ask for money, evaluate your intentions with that money first. Is it for your personal gain for a newer model car? A bigger house? A couch? An overseas vacation?

Or is it to use to better impact the kingdom and the work you are doing?

True wealth, as I've come to understand it, is less about bank accounts and more about the richness of our relationship with God and the impact we have on others and the legacy we leave behind.

It's about our hard posture and being rich toward God. As Jesus says in Luke 12:21 as Christian writers, we have a unique opportunity to create in air quotes wealth that isn't tied to money.

Think about the eternal value of a story that brings someone closer to Christ.

That's true wealth.

That's treasures stored up in heaven, as referred to in Matthew 6:19 21.

So as I come in for the landing, I want to challenge you to think about success as it relates to your big why why are you writing?

Why are you pursuing this calling? Is your why aligned with God's heart?

Are your goals aimed at personal success and wealth or kingdom success and wealth?

If you're not familiar with the term or the concept, your big why? It refers to the core reason or ultimate purpose that drives you to do what you do. It's that deeply personal motivation that keeps you going even when the journey gets tough, even when you're in a valley.

For writers, this could mean being driven by a divine calling, a passion for storytelling, or a heartfelt desire to bring hope and inspiration to readers.

Whatever it is, focusing on your purpose and not your bank balance is what will keep you moving forward toward the true definition of godly success.

My advice to you, unsolicited as it is, never make it about the money. When financial gain becomes your primary motivation, it shifts your focus away from God's purpose and leads to a constant cycle of striving.

Instead, write for the aim of fulfilling the two biggest commandments love your God and love others. Because if you do that, you'll find yourself serving God and others, and you'll find lasting joy, purpose, and eternal significance.

When we redefine success through the lens of faith, our why becomes so much bigger than us. It's not about what we can achieve, but how we can serve. And that, my friend, is the game changer in this business.

It isn't about numbers or accolades. It's about faithfulness. It's about walking in obedience to God's calling on your life and trusting him with the results.

Colossians 3:23 24 says, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.

This verse reminds me that my ultimate audience is God. When I write for Him, I'm already successful I hope this episode has encouraged you to to take a fresh look at how you define success in your writing journey.

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to comment, reach out, and don't forget to share this with a fellow writer who might need a little encouragement in this area.

Until next time, stay rooted, keep writing, and remember, for such a time as this, you have been called to thrive as God's Anointed Scribe. I'll see you next time.

Thanks for listening to today's episode of the Anointed Scribe podcast. I hope you're leaving feeling inspired, encouraged, and on fire to step boldly into your calling as a writer chosen and set apart to fulfill a unique purpose in God's plan.

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You can use the message link for that too. I look forward to our next episode together and remember, for such a time as this, you have been called to thrive as God's Anointed Scribe.

I'll see you next time.