What Does Success Really Mean?

I've noticed something important. Many of us chase after success, but we don't always stop to ask what success truly means to us. We might see shiny things, big jobs, or lots of money, and think, "That's it! That's what I want." But if we don't define it for ourselves, we might find ourselves on a long journey, only to arrive at a destination that doesn't feel right.

It's like getting in a car and just driving, hoping you'll end up somewhere good. You might get somewhere, but is it where you truly wanted to go? Is it a place that brings peace, purpose, and real joy? Or is it just... somewhere?

This is a big question because our understanding of success guides our steps. It shapes our choices, how we spend our time, and what we value. If we're not careful, we can adopt someone else's idea of success, an idea that might not fit our hearts or our calling.

God's Word

The Bible has a lot to say about how we should live our lives and what truly matters. It doesn't give us a picture of success that looks like huge bank accounts or endless fame. Instead, it talks about things like faithfulness, wisdom, and loving others.

One verse that often comes to mind is Matthew 6:33. Jesus said, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." This isn't just about going to church on Sunday. "Seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness" means putting God and what is right first in our lives. It means living in a way that honors Him, caring about the things He cares about, and doing our best to live by His ways. When we do that, Jesus promises that the things we need, the "all these things," will be taken care of.

Another important idea is found in Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." This tells us that true wisdom, and thus true success, comes from trusting God and letting Him guide our steps, rather than just relying on our own smarts or what seems logical to us.

And then there's Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." This verse gives us a beautiful and simple picture of what a life that matters looks like. It's about being fair, being kind, and staying close to God. These are timeless principles for a life well-lived, a life that truly succeeds in the eyes of God and brings deep satisfaction.

These Scriptures point us away from the world's loud promises of success and towards a quieter, deeper understanding. They tell us that success isn't just about what we gain, but who we become, and how we live.

The Success Principle

True success is about faithfully stewarding what God has given you to build a life that matters, rather than merely accumulating what the world values.

Why This Matters

This matters because if we don't define success for ourselves, the world will define it for us. The world often tells us success is about having more – more money, more power, more things. But how many people have reached those goals only to find an emptiness they didn't expect? We see stories like that all the time. People who had everything, but still felt lost or unhappy.

When we decide what truly matters – like our relationships, our character, our purpose, and our faith – we can then build our lives intentionally. We can say "yes" to things that lead us toward our definition of success and "no" to things that pull us away. This brings peace and direction, and it makes our efforts feel meaningful, even when they are hard.

Where People Get Stuck

People often get stuck in a few places when it comes to defining success:

1. Comparing themselves to others: It's so easy to look at someone else's life – their perfect-looking family, their fancy job, their beautiful home – and think, "That's what success looks like." We start chasing their dream instead of finding our own. This leads to constant dissatisfaction because we're always trying to fit into someone else's mold.
2. Chasing temporary things: We might focus too much on things that don't last, like money or popularity. These things can be nice, but they don't bring lasting fulfillment. They are like water from a leaky bucket – they might quench your thirst for a moment, but they don't fill you up for good.
3. Not taking the time to think: We live in a busy world. It feels like there's always something to do, always somewhere to go. We might be so caught up in the doing that we never stop to think deeply about why we're doing it or what it's all for. If you don't pause to think, you might just keep running on a treadmill, getting nowhere important.
4. Fear of being different: It can be scary to step away from what everyone else is doing. If your definition of success looks different from your friends' or family's, you might worry about what they will think. But living someone else's dream isn't living at all.

What To Do

Here are some practical steps to help you define what success truly means for you:

1. Create your own definition: Don't just accept what society tells you. Take some time to really think about what makes a life meaningful to you. What brings you joy? What impact do you want to have? What kind of person do you want to be?
2. Think about your values: What are the most important things in your life? Is it faith, family, helping others, learning, creating, honesty? Write them down. Your definition of success should align with these core values. If success means sacrificing your values, it's not real success.
3. Look beyond the surface: Instead of just thinking about money or possessions, think about deeper things. How do you want to grow as a person? What kind of relationships do you want to have? What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
4. Consider your calling: God has given each of us unique gifts and a unique purpose. What do you feel called to do or be? Success often ties into living out that calling faithfully, no matter how big or small it seems to others.
5. Write it down: Once you have a clearer idea, write down your personal definition of success. Put it somewhere you'll see it often. This isn't a permanent tattoo; it can change and grow as you do. But having it written down helps you remember and stay focused.

Your Action Plan

This week, I encourage you to set aside some quiet time – maybe 30 minutes, or even an hour. Find a peaceful spot where you won't be interrupted. Grab a pen and paper, or open a document on your computer. Your goal is to start writing down what success truly means to you.

Don't worry about making it perfect. Just let your thoughts flow. Start with questions like: "When I look back on my life, what will I be most proud of?" "What kind of person do I want to be known as?" "What impact do I want to have on the people around me, and on the world?" "What makes me feel truly alive and fulfilled?"

Consider how your faith plays a part in this. How does serving God and others fit into your picture of a successful life? Is it about fame, or about faithfulness? Is it about what you get, or what you give?

This Week's Challenge

Take your written definition of success and share it with one trusted person – a spouse, a close friend, a mentor. Ask them to listen and perhaps share their own thoughts on what success means to them. This can help you refine your ideas and gain new perspectives.

Questions to Ask Yourself

When I imagine a truly successful life, what does it look like for me? What values are most important to me, and how does my current idea of success align with them? Am I chasing someone else's dream, or pursuing a path that genuinely reflects my heart and calling? What am I willing to sacrifice for what I currently define as success? How does my faith shape what I believe success means?

My Response

Taking the time to define success for yourself is one of the most important things you can do. It's not a one-time thing, but something we revisit as we grow and change. But without a clear picture, we can easily wander off track, chasing after things that don't truly satisfy. I want to encourage you today: don't let others define your journey. Take ownership of it. Seek God's wisdom, reflect on your heart, and then choose your path intentionally. That's how we build a life that truly matters, a life of purpose and peace.