Discover What Matters Most to You

It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind. We wake up, go to work, take care of our families, and handle all the little things that come our way. Sometimes, we’re so busy doing things that we forget to ask why we’re doing them. We might feel like we’re on a treadmill, moving fast but not really going anywhere that truly matters to us deep down.

I think we all want to build a life that feels meaningful, a life that reflects who we are and what we care about most. But often, the world tells us what should matter to us. It shouts about more money, bigger houses, faster cars, or more followers on social media. These things aren't bad in themselves, but if we chase them without knowing our own true north, we can end up feeling empty, even if we achieve them.

So, before we talk about roads to success, we have to ask a deeper question: What does success even mean for you? What truly matters to you? This isn't about what your friends, family, or society expect. It's about what God has put in your heart, what brings you a deep sense of purpose and peace.

Joseph's Thought

When we don’t know what truly matters to us, we can waste a lot of time and energy. We can climb ladders only to find they were leaning against the wrong wall. Imagine someone building a magnificent house, working day and night, pouring all their resources into it. But then, when it’s finished, they realize they wanted to build a garden, not a house. All that effort, all that sacrifice, and the final result doesn't match what their heart longed for.

This happens all the time in our lives. We work hard for promotions, save money for things we don't really need, or chase achievements that don't bring us lasting joy. We might gain the whole world, as the Bible says, but lose our very soul in the process. It's a sad thought, isn't it? To get to the end of a long journey and realize you walked in the wrong direction.

That's why this first step is so important. Before you set goals, before you make plans, before you push yourself to achieve anything, pause and ask: What is truly important to me? What kind of person do I want to become? What kind of impact do I want to have? What brings me genuine fulfillment and helps me honor God and serve others?

This isn't just about feeling good. It's about aligning your daily choices with your deepest values and God's purpose for your life. When you know what matters most, your decisions become clearer. You can say 'no' to things that pull you off course and 'yes' to things that move you closer to the life you're meant to live.

God's Word

The Bible often talks about understanding what truly matters. In the book of Proverbs, it says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). This means that our inner life, our desires, our values, and what we cherish most deeply, shape everything else we do. If our heart is focused on temporary things, our actions will reflect that. If our heart is aligned with God's will and eternal values, our lives will bear different fruit.

Jesus himself asked a powerful question in Matthew 16:26: “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” This isn't just about going to heaven or hell. It's about living a life that is truly alive, a life that is whole and connected to what is most important. It reminds us that our true success isn't measured by how much we accumulate, but by the state of our spirit and the purpose we live for.

Paul, in Philippians 1:10, prayed that believers would “be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” This discernment, this ability to know what is best and what truly matters, is a gift from God and something we should actively seek.

The Success Principle

True success begins with clarity about what you value most, aligning your life's compass with God's purpose for you.

Why This Matters

Without knowing what truly matters, you’ll chase things that don’t satisfy, feel constantly busy but unfulfilled, and make choices that don’t lead you to a life that feels authentic and meaningful. You might build something impressive in the eyes of the world, but personally feel empty. Knowing what matters ensures your efforts are invested in building a life that you genuinely value and that honors God.

Where People Get Stuck

Many people get stuck because they:

What To Do

This isn't a one-time exercise; it's an ongoing journey of self-discovery and spiritual reflection. But here are some steps to start:

1. Find Quiet Time: Set aside time where you won't be interrupted. Turn off your phone, find a quiet space, and just breathe. You need mental space to hear yourself and, more importantly, to hear God.
2. Reflect on Your Life's Story: Think about times when you felt truly alive, joyful, and purposeful. What were you doing? Who were you with? What values were you living out? Also, think about times you felt most drained or out of sync. What was missing then?
3. List Your Values: Write down words that describe what is most important to you. Don't censor yourself. Think of things like: Faith, Family, Love, Service, Creativity, Learning, Health, Integrity, Peace, Community, Adventure, Freedom, Generosity, Wisdom, Joy, Truth. Then, try to narrow it down to your top 3-5 non-negotiable values. These are the core principles that guide your life.
4. Consider Your Legacy: If you were to look back on your life at the very end, what would you want it to have stood for? What would you want people to remember about you? What kind of impact would you hope to have made? This helps you see beyond immediate gratification.
5. Pray and Listen: Ask God to show you His purpose for your life. Ask Him to reveal what truly matters in His eyes, and how your unique gifts and passions can best serve Him and others. Sometimes, the answer comes as a gentle nudge, a deep conviction, or a clear thought.
6. Write It Down: Once you have some clarity, write down what matters most to you. This might be a short paragraph, a list of values, or a personal mission statement. This helps make it real and something you can return to.

Your Action Plan

This week, set aside at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted quiet time for reflection and prayer. Get out a notebook or journal.

This Week's Challenge

Answer the following questions honestly in your journal, without worrying about what others might think or say:

1. If I could only choose three things to define my life's purpose, what would they be?
2. When do I feel most truly myself and most alive?
3. What breaks my heart? (This often points to what you care about deeply.)
4. What do I believe God is calling me to be or do in this season?

Questions to Ask Yourself

Am I living according to my deepest values, or am I just going with the flow? Are my daily actions building the kind of life that truly matters to me? What changes do I need to make to better align my life with what I say I care about? What distractions keep me from focusing on what's most important?

My Response

Taking the time to discover what matters most isn't selfish; it's essential for a life of purpose and true success. It’s how we ensure we’re building a life that truly matters, not just one that looks good from the outside. It's about being a good steward of the one life God has given you.

Remember, this journey is personal. Your 'what matters most' will be unique to you, shaped by your gifts, your experiences, and God’s specific call on your life. Embrace the process, be honest with yourself, and trust that God will guide you as you seek to honor Him with your life.