Our Lives: Check, Double-Check
Everyone pauses at some point during the day to check in on their lives. We evaluate where we are and where we’re going—sometimes consciously, sometimes out of habit.
For the Christian, this often looks like holding one’s life up before the Lord and asking, “How am I doing, Lord?” or “What’s next? What should I do now?”
But even the unsaved go through a similar process. They measure their current situation, ask themselves whether they’re progressing, and often base their success on tangible things: “Do I have enough money in the bank to pay my bills?” or “Can I afford to take a vacation?”
Every day, we ask ourselves countless questions about our lives, our bodies, our relationships, and our goals. And we always get answers—some positive: “I’m doing great—money’s good, I’ve got a promotion coming, and I’m off to the Florida Keys next month.”
Others aren’t so uplifting: “I’ve gained too much weight… My spouse seems distant… My boss doesn’t value me… I’ll never get that promotion…”
We are designed with an inner mechanism for self-evaluation. Some people learn to ignore it, but for many, it’s always active.
So the real question is this: What standard are we using to measure ourselves? What’s the plumbline we’re comparing our lives to?
Is it tradition? Things our parents taught us? The opinions of our friends? Maybe even something as superficial as the number of followers we have online? The tools we use to evaluate our lives matter.
Problems arise when we use the wrong tools. Who gets to say whether we measure up—Mom and Dad? Friends? A supervisor?
The only accurate standard is the Lord’s perspective. That is the true plumbline.
David said in Psalm 51:4, “Against You, and You only, have I sinned…” Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 3, where he describes our works being tested by fire—some burning up like stubble, and others enduring because they are pleasing to God.
That tells us something vital: God alone defines what is acceptable. Not our boss, not our parents, not our peers.
So how do we know when the Lord approves of our actions, goals, and life direction?
You’ve likely heard it said, “Tune out the world, and tune in to Jesus.” But how do we actually do that?
If you’re not yet saved, there’s only one place to start: believe in Jesus Christ and make Him Lord of your life. That means giving Him full control—every area, every decision. When He is in charge, your life finally begins to align with God’s design. Your evaluations will begin to carry true worth and eternal value.
For the believer, our standard of evaluation must come from the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. It is the Holy Spirit who gives us wisdom and perspective. Through His voice, we’ll be led to lay some things down and take up others in their place. If we listen closely and follow Him faithfully, we’ll one day hear the voice of Jesus say:
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
That moment—and only that moment—is the truest measure of success.
