Success Is Finishing Your Life Knowing You Lived What Mattered

It's easy to get caught up in the idea of success. We see successful people all around us. They might have big houses, fancy cars, important titles, or lots of money. Sometimes, we measure our own success by these things. We might think, "If I just had that, I'd be successful." But what if true success isn't about what you have, but about how you live?

I think we all deep down want to live a life that means something. We want our time here to count for good. We want to look back and feel like we invested our days in things that truly mattered, not just things that brought us temporary joy or recognition. This isn't about being perfect; it's about being intentional. It's about building a life that reflects what's most important to us, and to God.

Joseph's Thought

Many people spend their lives chasing things they think will make them happy or successful. They work long hours, save up money, buy things, and climb career ladders. And there's nothing wrong with hard work or wanting to do well. But sometimes, when they get to the top, they realize they're on the wrong mountain. They achieved what they set out to do, but it didn't bring the deep satisfaction or peace they expected. The world's idea of success can be a tricky path because it often focuses on what you can gain. But what if success is more about what you can give, or how you can become the person God made you to be?

Maybe the question is: what will you treasure most when you look back on your life? Will it be your bank account balance, or the relationships you nurtured? Will it be the awards on your wall, or the quiet moments you spent helping someone in need? This isn't to say those other things are bad, but they aren't the main thing. They are tools, not the goal. True success, I believe, is found in living a life aligned with eternal values, with kindness, with love, with purpose, and with God.

God's Word

The Bible talks a lot about what truly matters. It often points us away from temporary things and towards what lasts. Jesus once asked a powerful question:

"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?" (Matthew 16:26, NIV).

This isn't just about going to heaven or hell. It's about the value of your entire being, your spirit, your true self. Jesus is asking: is all the stuff and power in the world worth losing who you are, or losing sight of what's truly important for your life's purpose? He's telling us to think about our deepest, most important values. He's saying that chasing worldly success at the cost of our inner life, our relationships, or our spiritual journey isn't a good trade.

Another verse reminds us:

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21, NIV).

This doesn't mean we can't own things or that money is evil. It means our deepest focus, our heart's desire, should be on things that last forever. Things like love, kindness, serving others, growing in character, and knowing God. These are the "treasures in heaven" because they are eternal values that shape our souls and impact eternity.

The Success Principle

True success isn't measured by what you acquire, but by the meaningful life you build, knowing you've invested in what truly matters to God and to others.

Why This Matters

This matters because if we don't define success for ourselves based on these lasting principles, the world will define it for us. And the world's definition will always leave us wanting more, always comparing, and often feeling empty. Understanding this principle helps us make wiser choices every day. It guides how we spend our time, our money, and our energy. It shapes our relationships and our priorities. It gives us peace knowing that even if we don't have the biggest house or the most awards, we are building a life of purpose and meaning. It helps us avoid the regret of reaching the end of our days and realizing we chased the wrong things.

Where People Get Stuck

Many people get stuck because they confuse being busy with being productive. They might be working very hard, but not on the things that matter most. Others get stuck comparing their lives to others, especially with what they see on social media. They believe the highlight reels of other people's lives are the full story, and they feel like they're falling behind. We can also get stuck by fear—fear of not having enough, fear of not being good enough, or fear of missing out. These fears can push us to chase things that ultimately don't satisfy. Sometimes, we simply haven't taken the time to truly think about what a "meaningful life" looks like for us, and so we just go with the flow, following paths that might not be our own.

What To Do

1. Define Your Values: Take some quiet time to think about what is truly important to you. Not what your neighbor thinks, or what commercials tell you, but what you believe in your heart makes life rich and meaningful. Is it family, faith, service, learning, creativity, honesty, generosity? Write these down.
2. Examine Your Schedule: Look at how you spend your days, weeks, and months. Does your schedule reflect your defined values? If you say family is important, but you spend all your evenings working, there's a disconnect. Be honest with yourself. This isn't about judgment, but about understanding.
3. Prioritize Purposeful Action: Based on your values, identify one or two small, concrete actions you can take each week that move you closer to living a life that matters. This isn't about overhauling everything at once. It's about taking intentional steps.
4. Practice Gratitude: Regularly give thanks for what you already have and for the opportunities you have to live out your values. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we possess, and it helps us appreciate the richness of our lives beyond material things.
5. Seek God's Guidance: Pray and ask God to show you what truly matters in your life. Ask Him to help you align your desires and actions with His purpose for you. He knows you better than anyone and wants you to live a full and meaningful life.

Your Action Plan

• When I imagine looking back on my life, what will I most wish I had spent more time on?
• What brings me genuine, deep joy and a sense of purpose, beyond fleeting pleasures?
• Am I chasing someone else's definition of success, or my own (and God's)?
• What is one thing I could let go of that takes up time but doesn't align with my values?