How do you define victory in your life? Specifically, what does it mean to you to live a victorious life?
Though answers to this question vary from person to person, the answer itself likely informs much about our lives.
Because as we define what our personal victories are, this naturally shapes our decisions, actions, and our legacy.
For example, if we define victory by achieving a certain title or promotion, we may burn the midnight oil at work. If we define victory by having a strong marriage or raising children, we may forgo needed nights at home in favor of activities where we are likely to find a mate. If victory means being part of a Christian community, we may seek a specific type of church even if it has poor teaching.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with promotions, building a family, or being part of a Christian community. These are all great things. Things that are often worth sacrificing over, delaying gratification for, and celebrating when attained. But, these things, along with other common barometers for victory (comfort, achievement) are imperfect metrics to evaluate whether the life we’re leading is “victorious”.
The first and potentially most obvious issue with these metrics is that these good things, though rewarding in the short term, still leave us dissatisfied (and sometimes even anxious or confused). Even when we get what we initially wanted, any “high” we experience is not sustained. We see this both in our own lives and in the lives of public figures. There is always more money to make, another promotion to achieve, a more exclusive club to join. The subsequent satisfaction from achieving these things is momentary at best.
Secondly, these barometers are overly simplistic. They tell nothing of the full ripple effects (good or bad) of our actions. This is notable especially because doing the ‘right’ thing often leads to adverse results. A job that provides abundant financial security may cost us our health or strong relationships. Alternatively, we may focus on family to an unhealthy extent, putting undue pressure on our children. We may achieve the “good” things we were aiming for, but incur second order impacts far worse than we expected. Thus merely achieving these otherwise “good” things is only a small part of our greater story and cannot be what we use to define our personal victory.
Finally, it is remarkable what little control we actually have over these achievements. Achievements are often not reliable measurements of our capabilities, potential, or hard work – but in reality often a result of some hard work, but also randomness and luck. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t celebrate our accomplishments, or even be willing to sacrifice for these things – but we should recognize that attaining them was not solely based on our capabilities. Even when we do the right thing, we may not see the fruit of our labors. Conversely, we may experience positive outcomes when we didn’t “deserve” to due to randomness, luck, or the hand of God. But because there is not a perfect relationship between our actions and our outcomes, defining our personal victories through achievements or accolades is an unstable method of evaluating our lives.
And yet, having personal goals and visualizations of what a successful, victorious life looks like is incredibly helpful. It anchors us, helps us prioritize, and guides both daily and long term decisions. But precisely because our internal definitions of victory are so impactful on our decisions, actions, and legacy, it is critical that we have the correct definition of victory in mind. Our victory must be informed not by our fleeting plans or the passing culture of the day, but by the timeless truth of God’s word.
How does God define victory? What does this mean for my work, my relationships, and my spiritual life? How can we anchor on God’s definition of victory?
In this study, we will explore exactly these questions. Specifically, we’ll spend the next few weeks looking at God’s definition of victory. Then, we’ll dive into how this should impact our work, relationships, and spiritual lives.
Scripture to meditate on this week:
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:2)
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life & peace. (Romans 8:6)
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38)
Reflection questions:
- How do you think God defines victory?
- In John 10:10, Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” What do you think Jesus means by having life “abundantly?”
- What are the ways you define victory in your life, today?
- At work?
- In relationships?
- In your spiritual life?
- Elsewhere in your life?
- What is the most important definition of victory that you have? In other words, if at the end of your life you could guarantee one thing for your life, what would it be? Be as specific as possible. Let’s call this your primary victory.
- If you knew this one thing was guaranteed or solved, then how else would you define victory in your life? We will call these your secondary victories.
