Redefining Success: Building New Standards That Matter
It’s Time to Measure What Really Counts
"Do not be conformed to this world." —Romans 12:2
Brothers, it’s time we take a hard look at the standards we’re living by. Society tells us every day what success should look like. It tells us what careers are worth chasing, what neighborhoods are worth living in, what cars are worth driving. We’ve got a thousand markers, clear as day, for what it means to “make it.” But the question is, are we measuring our lives by God’s standards or by the world’s?
When Jesus warned us, "Listen carefully... and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world," (Mark 4:24 MSG), He wasn’t just giving us a heads-up about the culture around us. He was challenging us to be counter-cultural—to question the very gauges we’re using to measure our success. You see, the problem isn’t with success itself. There’s nothing wrong with achieving, building, or striving. But when we use the wrong gauges to measure our lives, we end up chasing empty achievements, hollow victories that can’t bring lasting fulfillment. It’s like using a thermometer to measure the weight of a steel beam—it doesn’t work. And if we don’t change our gauges, we risk missing out on the life God has truly called us to live.
The World’s Gauges vs. God’s Standards
Look around. The world tells us that prestige, power, and possessions define us. The message is clear: your worth is based on what you have, what you’ve done, and how you’re seen. But, brother, we know better. Romans 12:2 commands us, “Do not be conformed to this world.” God’s standards are different, and His standards are eternal. He cares less about the job title on our business cards and more about the title we hold as His sons.
Our culture’s gauges measure the surface. They tell us who’s “made it” by worldly definitions. But God looks deeper. He measures our faith, our integrity, our love for others, and our devotion to Him. So why are we letting the world tell us what’s valuable? Matthew 6:19-21 reminds us, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." If we let society set our standards, we’re bound to end up measuring our lives by things that ultimately don’t matter.
Building New Gauges That Reflect God’s Calling
It’s time to recalibrate. If we’re serious about living for God, then we need to start measuring our lives by His standards. We need new gauges—gauges that focus on the things that God values.
Gauge Your Impact as a Husband
Are you showing up for your wife? Are you investing in your marriage with intentional love, listening, and time together? Ephesians 5:25 calls husbands to “love your wives, as Christ loved the church.” This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a calling. How often do you pray with your wife? How often do you sit down and check in with her? Start measuring.Gauge Your Role as a Father
Are you spending time with your children, not just as a provider but as a father who leads them spiritually? Proverbs 22:6 tells us to “train up a child in the way he should go.” So, ask yourself—how often are you teaching them about God? How often are you having meaningful conversations about their dreams, fears, and struggles?Gauge Your Relationships with Friends and Brothers
God made us for community, for iron-sharpens-iron relationships. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to “stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together.” Are you meeting regularly with brothers who challenge you, who keep you accountable, and who push you to grow? If not, it’s time to start.Gauge Your Service to Others
Are you available to friends in need? Are you ready to help, listen, or just be present? True success isn’t about accumulating wealth; it’s about giving yourself for the sake of others. Philippians 2:4 calls us to “look not only to [our] own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Make It Practical—Start Measuring What Matters
You’ve got to get practical with this, brother. Don’t just think about these new standards—write them down. Create a personal checklist or a calendar. Keep track of how often you’re showing up in these areas that truly matter. Maybe it’s as simple as a journal entry at the end of each day, or a weekly review. Find a method that works for you, but make sure you’re tracking what really counts.
Imagine what it would look like if, instead of focusing on career milestones or material gain, you focused on these new gauges. Imagine a life where your legacy isn’t tied to a job title or a bank balance, but to the strength of your relationships and your impact on others. Luke 12:15 warns us, “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” So don’t waste time measuring the wrong things.
Brother, It’s Time to Act
Here’s your call to action: Let go of the world’s standards. Stop letting society tell you what success looks like. Start measuring your life by the things God cares about. This isn’t going to happen by accident. It requires intentionality, focus, and accountability. But the reward is eternal. By recalibrating our gauges, we’re aligning our lives with God’s purpose, and there’s nothing more fulfilling than that.
Reflect on your gauges, adjust them to align with God’s standards, and start building a legacy that counts. Share in the comments below: What’s one area where you’ll build a new gauge this week?
Your brother in Christ,
Matthew Adams