1.4.22

Okay yes, I know matterables isn’t a real word. I made it up. Let me explain. In Chet Scott’s book, Built to Lead, he proposed this question in one of his daily practices:

“Are you only chasing what you can measure? Or, are you chasing what matters?”

The “Or” in this quote really made me think. I feel like I find myself in a constant battle between the two – like it really is one or the other. But why can’t it be both? Can’t things that are measurable also be things which matter? Can’t they be matterables? I like to think, or at least want to think, the measurables matter – but maybe measurables just matter less, or matter to a different audience, than the matterables.

Measurables are often good things to chase after, but they usually have some sort of self-gain involved, while the matterables tend to be more others-focused. I think the measurables matter more when you’re chasing your passions, while the matterables matter more when chasing your purpose. Personally, my heart finds it annoying how matterables often require us to slow ourselves down – because the world around us never slows down for a second. I like to be on the go. I like attacking new projects. I like doing more than the next guy. I’ve been wired that way for a while, and I know I’m not the only one – but all of that sometimes causes us to miss on the matterables – the why in our life.

So chances are we will usually accomplish fewer measurables when pursuing the matterables. I’m just thankful God doesn’t have a minimum requirement of measurables for us to hit to be loved and accepted by Him! While the world around us will always judge the measurables in our life, God sent His son to measure up on our behalf so we didn’t have to, and so we could pursue the matterables.