Success Is Knowing What Matters Most

I think we all want to be successful. We want to do well, to achieve things, to make a difference. But what does "success" really mean to you? It's a big question, and the answer might surprise you, or it might be something you've been searching for a long time.

Often, when we hear the word "success," we think of big houses, fancy cars, lots of money, or a powerful job title. We see pictures on social media or in magazines, and we think, "That's what success looks like." We might chase after those things, thinking they will make us happy or fulfilled. But I've noticed that sometimes, people who have all those things still feel empty inside. They have achieved what the world calls success, but they haven't found what truly matters.

God's Word

The Bible talks a lot about what matters. It helps us see success in a different way. It teaches us that our lives are a gift, and how we use that gift is very important. It's not just about what we get, but about who we become and how we treat others.

One verse that always makes me think about this is from Jesus himself. He asked, "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:36 ESV). Think about that for a moment. He's saying that even if you got everything you ever dreamed of – all the money, all the fame, all the power – if you lost your true self, your soul, in the process, was it really worth it? That's a powerful question. It tells us that some things are more valuable than anything money can buy.

Another important idea is found in Matthew 6:33, where Jesus says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (ESV). "Seeking the kingdom of God" means living your life for God, trying to do what is right, and putting Him first. "His righteousness" means living in a way that pleases Him. Jesus promises that if we focus on these things, the other things we need will be taken care of. This doesn't mean we'll get rich, but it means we can trust God with our needs.

These verses help us understand that true success is about our relationship with God and how we live our lives according to His plan, not just what we achieve in the world's eyes.

The Success Principle

True success is not just about achieving goals; it's about building a life that truly matters in the long run.

Why This Matters

This matters because if you don't know what really matters to you, you might spend your whole life chasing things that don't bring you lasting joy or peace. You could climb the ladder of success only to find it's leaning against the wrong wall. Knowing what matters helps you make good choices about your time, your money, your energy, and your relationships. It helps you build a life with purpose and meaning, a life that reflects your deepest values.

When you understand what true success is, you stop comparing yourself to others as much. You start running your own race, focused on your own path and what God has called you to do. It brings a lot of freedom and reduces a lot of stress.

Where People Get Stuck

People often get stuck because they let the world define success for them. They see what others have or what society says is important, and they follow that path without really thinking if it's their path. We get caught up in the "rat race," constantly trying to get more, do more, be more, without stopping to ask, "Why am I doing this?" We might be afraid of missing out, or we might fear that if we don't keep up, we'll be seen as failures.

Another place we get stuck is in not taking the time to actually figure out our own values. It takes thought and quiet reflection to understand what makes your heart sing, what you truly care about, and what legacy you want to leave behind. If we never ask these deep questions, we can easily drift through life, letting circumstances push us one way or another.

What To Do

So, how do we figure out what truly matters? It starts with looking inward and looking upward.

1. Reflect on Your Values: What do you care about most? Is it your faith, your family, helping others, creating beauty, learning new things, being honest, working hard? Make a list of five to ten things that are truly important to you. These are your core values. They are the guideposts for your life.

1. Look at Your Life Through an "Ending" Lens: Imagine you are 80 years old, looking back on your life. What do you want to remember? What do you wish you had done more of? What relationships do you hope were strong? What kind of person do you hope you became? This exercise can really clarify what's important.

1. Spend Time with God: Pray and ask God to show you His purpose for your life. Read the Bible and see what He says about living a good life, about what is truly valuable in His eyes. He knows you better than anyone and has a plan for you. Seeking His wisdom is never a wasted effort.

1. Align Your Actions with Your Values: Once you know what matters, start making choices that match those values. If family is a top value, are you spending enough quality time with them? If honesty is key, are you always truthful, even when it's hard? If helping others is important, how are you giving back?

It's a continuous process, not a one-time decision. Life changes, and sometimes our understanding grows deeper. Keep checking in with yourself and with God.

Your Action Plan

This Week's Challenge

This week, intentionally say "no" to something that doesn't align with your values, even if it seems like a "good" opportunity. Then, use that freed-up time or energy for something that does align with what matters most to you.

Questions to Ask Yourself

If I had only five years left to live, what would I want to accomplish, and what kind of person would I want to be? Am I spending my limited time and energy on things that bring me lasting joy and purpose, or on things that just keep me busy? What is one thing I could let go of that would help me focus on what truly matters? What legacy do I want to leave behind, and are my daily actions moving me towards that?

My Response

I want to encourage you today to really consider what success looks like for you. Don't let the world or other people's expectations define it. Take the time to discover your own path, grounded in what truly matters. When you do, you'll find a kind of success that goes deeper than anything you can measure with money or status. It's a success that brings peace, purpose, and lasting joy. It's a life well-lived, in the truest sense.