What Is A Successful Life?

I hear countless teenagers—including me—say things like: “I’m a FAILURE at life!” or “I wasted my whole day!” We only have one life and the thought of wasting a single minute can be absolutely terrifying.

Especially in creative industries, I hear people talking about defining what success looks like for yourself and using that as your standard. I totally agree with that sentiment but sometimes it’s confusing because my dreams change and grow. I don’t always know how what to make as markers for my success.

So, a couple nights ago I found myself writing in my journal the simple question, “What defines a successful life?”

As I normally do when I’m stumped with a question, I propped open my Bible and dove in.

What Does the Bible Say About Success?

The World Doesn’t Get to Define It

The world has its own definition of success. Make money. Have friends. Be in a relationship. Pay your bills. At face value, all of these thing are good, but they aren’t the rubric to use when deciding if you’re living a successful life or not. (Go read Ecclesiastes to see what I mean)

Listen up. The world doesn’t get to define your success. That’s the Creator’s job and He looks at your heart, not your possessions. 1 Samuel 16:7

The Most Important Thing You Can Do

Before any of your actions can be successful, you have to have one very important thing between you and God: a relationship. And I’m not talking about showing up at church on Sundays. I’m talking about confessing your sins and surrendering your life. I’m talking about knowing that nothing you ever do could earn that kind of love.

I’m talking about being saved by Jesus. Romans 10:9

So Then What?

After Jesus saves you, it’s time to get to work. Jesus says that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul and mind. Therefore, a successful life is continuing to grow closer to the Lord.

The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. Serve people. We are called to shine God’s light into this dark world, to go and make disciples of all nations. Trying to do this is success.

Follow God’s Plan

God has a plan for you. He wove you together in your mother’s womb. Before the start of the world He knew your name. The King of kings chose you (Ephesians 1:4). He placed a desire in your heart to do His work.

It’s our job to be obedient to that call and trust His plan. It’s on us to really know God by spending time with Him. Then, it’s on us to take that first step and see what miracles God works.

So what is a successful life?

Knowing your God, loving your God, and showing people just how much you love Him is success. Micah 6:8 says it better than I ever could:

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.

Micah 6:8 NIV

And the amazing thing is we can do that today. We can be successful now.