True Success: Redefining What It Really Means to “Make It”

We live in a world that shouts at us about success. From social media “likes” to job titles, exam marks to houses with heated bathroom floors, the pressure to “arrive” is relentless. But what if the world’s measuring stick is completely flawed?

I’ve recently studied and prayed about what true success is. I Googled it and read list after list about the most successful people, businesses, athletes, influencers… and a pattern emerged. Success, according to the world, comes down to four things: money, popularity, real estate, and achievement.

May I be honest with you? As I looked at the names on these “most successful people” lists and read their bios, something inside me said, I don’t want my life to emulate any of this.

I don’t want to live a life that only looks good on paper, but I want a life that matters.

I don’t want to be known for what I’ve collected, but for what I’ve completed—what God assigned me to do.

When you peel back the filters, followers, and flashy highlight reels, what are we left with? Our purpose.

John 17:4 (MSG) says, “I glorified you on earth by completing down to the last detail what you assigned me to do.”

To me, that is success.

Whether it’s 12 decisions for Christ at a Sunday service, 65 kids fed at Breakfast Club, or a mum managing to get dressed and feed the baby before lunchtime, success looks different in the kingdom of God. It's not measured by how many followers you have on Instagram or whether your house made it onto Pinterest. It’s about obedience to what God has asked you to do.

I was deeply moved as I remembered the funeral of Pastor Harold Nichols. You’ve probably never heard of him. He didn’t have best-selling books or a massive platform, but he launched the ministries of Jerry Savelle, Kenneth Copeland, Jesse Duplantis… and in doing so, changed the world. Not with applause, but with obedience.

Success isn’t found in being seven-and-a-half feet tall on the world’s measuring stick. Success is found in finishing your race—not someone else’s—with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Here’s my challenge:

Are you measuring your life by the world’s flawed system? Or are you anchored to what God has asked you to do?

Take some time today to reflect, journal, and ask God: “Lord, what does my success look like in Your eyes?”

Then, just like Jesus, commit to finishing every detail of what He put you here to do. That’s true success.