The best understanding of success

Scottie Scheffler is the best golfer in the world right now, and he just admitted that it is deeply unsatisfactory.

If you watch the interview, you do not get the sense that he is unappreciative to the fans or to the game of golf. He seems totally aware of his privilege to play a game he loves for a career.

But he also reveals something that we all inherently seem to know: that there is more to life than accomplishments and material success.

Yes, Scottie Scheffler has made it to the pinnacle of his sport, of his career. He is making lots of money, winning many tournaments, and yet finds that this part of his life is not the main part. If playing golf were the best thing life had on offer, it seems like life would be wholly unsatisfactory.

We each seem to know this feeling. That we are stuck in an endless cycle of “next”. After we get the promotion we will be happy. Or the new car. Or the new house. Or once we achieve a certain level of income. Or whatever “it” is. We constantly chase it, but once we have it, we realize that it does not and never was going to make us happy.

We have a meaning crisis in this country, with scores of people becoming disenfranchised with what the American Dream has on offer.

So what does fulfill? What does make life meaningful?

In a world where we chase fleeting pleasures — career success, wealth, or personal achievements like Scottie Scheffler’s remarkable golfing triumphs — none of these can truly satisfy the deep longing for purpose and lasting happiness. The human heart yearns for something eternal, something unshakable.

This is where Jesus stands alone.

Unlike temporary fixes that fade with time, Jesus offers a purpose rooted in divine love and an eternal relationship with God. As He promises in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This fullness transcends worldly accomplishments, filling the void that no trophy, paycheck, or possession can.

Scottie Scheffler’s candid admission reflects a universal truth: earthly success, while gratifying, is ultimately hollow without a deeper anchor. Jesus provides that anchor—offering forgiveness, hope, and a calling to live for something greater than ourselves.

By trusting in Him, we find a purpose that endures beyond the next goal, a joy that remains through life’s highs and lows, and a happiness that no circumstance can steal.

In a culture grappling with a meaning crisis, only Jesus offers the lasting fulfillment we seek, inviting us to a life of purpose that begins now and stretches into eternity.

Want to develop a life that focuses in on what matters most? Want a practice that helps you create space for a life that is full of meaning? Check out my new book on simplicity! You can pre-order the ebook by clicking the image below, or purchase a paperback on August 1.

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