God doesn’t care about your status, size, or success
Where did everyone go?
Were readers bored? Was I not offering anything of value? Was I really off the grid for that long? After returning from a lengthy absence from writing earlier this year, I was not sure what to make of readership taking a nosedive.
Since 2013, churning out blog posts opened up a platform that has allowed me to connect with thousands of people digitally from around the country and even around the world. For the first couple of years, emails would flood in. Comments on my blog posts abounded. New opportunities constantly arose in the form of speaking and media interviews. I felt like I was on the brink of something big.
What could possibly be next?
An onslaught of physical challenges forced me to take a long hiatus from regularly putting out new posts. When I returned to blogging this past spring, everything had changed.
I noticed a constant sense of disappointment that came with the temptation to attach self-worth to the ever-swinging pendulum of Internet traffic. Specific feedback provided me with a sense that what I had to say actually mattered.
A blog or YouTube video gains momentum in cyberspace? My words are clearly making a difference. But when readership declines? May as well ditch the website and move on to the next project.
Is this really how I should be measuring myself?
How can success be defined? What will my measuring stick be?
Is a blog post measured by how many hits or follow-up emails it gets?
In the realm of physical therapy, am I measured by the amount of time I put in? How much new movement I have?
Is my vocational success determined solely by the number of dollars earned? How impressive a title is?
In the book Go Small , Craig Gross makes the case that God doesn’t care about our size, status, or success. This has been a message that has brought me a sigh of relief. The more time has gone on, the more I understand that my success is not determined by numbers. Nor is it determined by society, the opinions of others around me, or how my accomplishments stack up to the accomplishments of my peers.
My success is ultimately determined by my obedience to God.
Old Testament prophets such as Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah were assigned with the task of calling the nation of Israel back towards God. All three devoted their lives to this task but ended up dying without seeing much change. Were they successful? Yes. They obeyed the task given to them by God.
Jesus spoke to thousands, healed the masses, raised the dead, and accomplished more in three years of public ministry than anyone in the history of the planet. However, he spent most of his time and energy building into just 12 men.
And those men went on to change the world.
Basing my success on the size of my audience keeps me in chains. Looking to Jesus’ example, I have slowly begun to understand how irrelevant the numbers are. When I walk in obedience, whether it be through writing or simply engaging in conversation with a friend, God has true purpose for me right where I am.
This allows me to move my focus from success to significance.
Maybe God has not designed me to get satisfaction out of status, size, or success. It seems to me that he couldn’t care less about those things. Maybe if I don’t go big…I don’t actually have to go home. Maybe bigger isn’t always better. Maybe it’s about something deeper.
Maybe going small has been the secret all along.
What about you? Do you wrestle with determining what counts for significance?
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Great article! You are a fantastic journalist! Keep going. Many may not respond but more importantly many are impacted! Have a great day
Amen Marti, so well said! I couldn’t agree more.
Casting Crowns has a song out saying “I don’t want to leave a legacy. I don’t care if they remember me, only Jesus”. My biggest struggle with that attitude is if I’m really being ignored because I am irrelevant, irritating or ignorant, that isn’t good either. I sometimes wish God would speak out loud to me and say I am on the right path. How do we measure our success, our faithfulness? How do churches know they are on the right path, by attendees and offerings? If not, by what?
I sometimes think of the numbers Jesus had. From the pinnacle around when he fed the 5000 to his crucifixion where only a few watched from the distance as he died. Not good numbers.
Randy, thanks for the song. I will check that out!
Hi Ryan,
This post really resonates with me as a stay-at-home mom who recently became an empty-nester. How do I measure significance now? Must I run out and take on a new career or be a champion of some great cause to prove my worth? Or, as you suggest here, are we of infinite significance because of our identity in Christ regardless of our “output” or the size of our platform. I believe that we are and it’s an important reminder! Thank you!!
Jen, thanks for sharing that. I think you would definitely enjoy this book!
So wise, Jen! As a long-time empty nester now, I can say as our adult children need us less & less, if our identity isn’t in Christ, it will find its way somewhere!! Only our true identity in Him will really fulfill!! Blessings as you continue you life’s journey serving our LORD & Saviour, Jesus!!
Love this! As a mom who is struggling with the deelings of being irrelevant now that the kids are grown, this message is a good reminder of what matters. Keep writing Ryan, very helpful!
I, for one am delighted to read your blog again. Thank you for the positive spin you manage to put on everything you write. That is such a great inspiration to me. We are so slow to be grateful for all that we have. It is an ongoing struggle to remember how blessed we are compared to the rest of the world and the thousands of people who are tragically ill and facing death or destruction.
Ironically I just read from Ezekiel, Isaiah and about Jeremiah this past week. After all these hundreds of years they still bring relevant and helpful information and wisdom.
Thanks for continuing and God bless you and Stephanie.
Stephanie was reading the same books this month. Pretty crazy stories in there!
Thank you Ryan for continuing to lift us up and remind us of what is truly important. You are a blessing in our lives.
Ryan, – I read every post you put out there. Wisdom is hard to come by these days: i find yours of particular interest. When i read your post, i am reminded of the scene with Martha and Mary. ” Martha, Martha….Mary has chosen the better part.” You seem to have the ability to distill ‘ the better part’
Keep it going. We’re listening.
John Morelock
Great reminder of an awesome story. Thanks John.
Ryan,
I truly look forward to reading your blog posts. As I have recently moved to a new area, it has been a struggle for me to leave behind a job I have loved. Feeling part of a new community and making new friends has made me have a lot of self doubt. Your words are inspirational, and have helped me put things in perspective. What counts is our journey with Jesus, and having hope in Him. Please don’t feel discouraged. You are a huge blessing to so many!
Kim, thanks for your words. My goal in sharing about the example specific to the blog was to drive home the point about getting a sense of fulfillment from any number based type of metric. This could be applied to any area whether it be feeling like a salary being a specific dollar amount equates to one’s value as a person.
Basically if I’m concerned about numbers to determine whether or not I do something, I am getting off track. Thanks for the feedback!
Thanks, Ryan, for being so transparent! Your words are the Words of Life!! Blessings Always!!
You may never know how many lives you are touching. I read all your posts when you share them and they make me think deeper each time. Thank you for continuing to be brave and share. I often wonder if you’d like to come to UC to speak with my students in the Exploring Healthcare Careers class I teach but don’t want to ask too much. Thanks again for sharing!
Robin, shoot me an email so we can discuss this. ryan.s.atkins@gmail.com
Well done Ryan!!!
Extremely insightful, and a message most of us never understand {if at all} until much later in life than you are.
Thanks for sharing your insights Ryan!!!!!
PPKA,
Gary
Great post! I’m thankful for your blog.
Keep writing and sharing 🙂
Ryan,
You continue to inspire me! Thank you! Jeanne
Hi Ryan, I came to Christ when I came to the end of myself years ago when we moved/ became a ‘home engineer’ I went from
10 professional years of great reviews and raises to wiping dishes and bottoms. God taught me I have an audience of ONE and as long as focused on Him and I am caring for the people/gifts he has put in my care, I am on track. In writing to your ONE you have and continue to teach and inspire so many of us!
Amen!
Social media is wonderful!
Or a total drain.
Figuring out How to use it and not let it control your life is key.
But you are inspiring people and changing lives.