When you look at anything — a goal, a project, a life — there are so many different ways to measure success.

This year, I am reading through the Bible. My goal is to do it in 365 days. I would have liked to have said I have been “faithful” every day but I have already had some days I didn’t do it. I got caught up. Does that count as success?

I am still on the course so we will see how it ends up.

But, what if it takes me 370 days to do this instead of 365? Have I failed?

What is my goal? What am I measuring?

Am I using the right tool?

Measuring success for a timid toddler who needs to practice walking is getting back up again, after a fall — not perfect walking. At least, not yet.

Measuring success for someone who has been waylaid by serious illness or an accident might be to be able to feed themselves again and keep working towards independence.

Measuring success might be when your independent strivings cease and you are willing to be vulnerable and accept help from someone.

What is “success” in God’s eyes? Does He even measure that?

Sometimes we don’t exactly know what success will look like because it isn’t always easily measured. It can be about numbers, but it often isn’t.

Is it possible that what we learn while we are on our quest for “success” is more of the point?

Lord, give me a new perspective on success. Let me not be limited by earthly measurements.