Measuring Success

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Some days, I go to bed feeling a little dissatisfied. It’s not that something went wrong that day; it’s that not enough things went right.

Ensuring that I end the day on a better note requires that I start out right. Though I love crossing items off to-do lists, I’ve realized that the real question I need to ask myself each morning is this: What do I need to accomplish today to feel successful?

Though one might assume that the answer is something significant—achieving a big goal or a lifelong dream—the truth is that it’s often something small. Maybe it’s finally picking up the phone to make a dreaded call. Perhaps it’s organizing a single drawer so I feel less worried about the clutter in my home. Maybe it’s spending one-on-one time with a loved one after an overly busy week.

Though I still write down all the items I’d like to accomplish each day, that question helps me gauge what’s essential for peace in my mind and heart. It helps me wade through everything that vies for my attention to discern what matters most.

The question reminds me of a story told in Matthew. Some religious leaders were trying to trap Jesus in a false teaching, so they asked him, “Which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Instead of wading through a laundry list of rules—a to-do list for his followers—Jesus cut to the heart of the matter. He told them that loving God and loving others were the most important commands; all other priorities should reflect those essential truths.

Like the religious leaders, we can get so caught up in following rules—in Christianity and life in general—that we forget about the most important things. I’m grateful that Jesus’ simple answer reminds us to reconsider our priorities. Refocusing on what’s essential for today can provide us with the peace we need, ensuring we never again fall asleep with dissatisfaction hanging over our heads.

Kristin

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Ask yourself: What do I need to accomplish today to feel successful? How can accomplishing that item give me some peace of mind about my to-do list?