Chasing Vision – God’s Measure

Success. How would you define it? Do you know when you’ve reached it? Do you know when you fall short?

Merriam-Webster defines success as “a favorable or desired outcome.” In other words, success is based on our aim and what we want. Since what is desirable or favorable for each of us varies greatly, my measure of success and your measure of success are not necessarily the same.

Many of us are unsure of what we are aiming at, while others are chasing after the wrong things. A missing or incorrect definition of success sets us up for disappointment and failure. We might achieve our to-do list, buy a new house, be in the best shape we have ever been in physically but still find ourselves lonely, depressed, and unsatisfied.

Ultimately, we need to know and understand God’s measure of success. Let’s look at Nehemiah’s example. Remember, how he led a scattered people to work together and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem? While this was an impressive feat, I don’t believe Nehemiah was ultimately successful because he accomplished this building project. Instead, his real success is displayed after the wall was completed, when the people gathered together to hear from Ezra, the priest.

Listen to how Nehemiah describes the scene as Erza opened God’s word, “Ezra praised the Lord. He is the great God. All of the people lifted up their hands. They said, ‘Amen! Amen!’ Then they bowed down. They turned their faces toward the ground. And they worshiped the Lord.” (Nehemiah 8:6 NIRV) The Bible explains that as the law was read, it was translated in a way the people could understand the words. This led to celebration, confession, life-change, and worship.

When we live out God’s vision, it will always result in greater love for God and everyone around us. In Matthew 19, Jesus summarized all of the Jewish laws with two points – love God and love people. Love is both the path to and the measure of success. If you are not growing in love, you can be confident you are falling short of God’s measure.

Don’t allow current events, your status, or even your amount of productivity to define you. Amid coronavirus or whatever challenges you are facing today, I want to encourage you to evaluate your success by God’s measure.

Prayerfully read and reflect on the following verses, asking God to align your vision with His vision and your heart with His heart:

Anyone who does not love does not know God because God is love. 1 John 4:8

And over all of those good things put on love. Love holds them all together perfectly as if they were one. Colossians 3:14

Just as the Father has loved me, I have loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. John 15:9-10

Am I now trying to get people to think well of me? Or do I want God to think well of me? Am I trying to please people? If I were, I would not be serving Christ. Galatians 1:9

My brothers and sisters, you were chosen to be free. But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to live in sin. Instead, serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13

If you love one another, everyone will know you are my disciples. John 3:35

Suppose I speak in the languages of human beings and of angels. If I don’t have love, I am only a loud gong or a noisy cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1

Most of all, love one another deeply. Love erases many sins by forgiving them. 1 Peter 4:8