Rich Dixon on keeping track

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I don’t think Jesus thinks much about numbers.

“How do you define success?”

We asked that question as we planned, but we were tackling something bigger than we could even imagine. We avoided stating a clear definition of success partly because we couldn’t think big enough.

Our vision of what was possible grew as the ride progressed. As we approached the finish line, I felt we’d been successful, while still wondering exactly what “success” meant. So many people invested time, talent, and treasure to support our efforts. It’s natural to wonder: did they get their money’s worth?

In simplest terms, I suppose “success” involves hitting the target.

The real question, the one that matters, is, “What’s the target?” What are you trying to accomplish? What’s the true purpose or motivation behind your efforts?

At the end of the ride, we reflected on several numbers:

• 1,500 miles
• 8 weeks
• 9 states
• 37 miles averaged per day
• 51 miles on the longest day
• 9 mph average speed
• 13 mph best average speed for a single day
• 26 speaking events
• More than 4,000 people reached in speaking venues
• Nearly $60,000 raised for hungry children
• Approximately 1,200 children fed for an entire year
• More than $25,000 donated in sponsorship

Those numbers matter. They’re the measurables, the subject of charts and graphs and calculations. This project required substantial support to pay for transportation, food, lodging, and equipment. Measurables indicate a track record if I seek funding for future rides.

But – I don’t believe they measure what was important about Rich’s Ride. We might have increased every number and still been unsuccessful; the numbers might have been significantly worse on a ride that was a smashing success. It’s an important lesson:

The numbers we use as “measurables” rarely reflect the true purpose of what we’re doing. I don’t think Jesus thinks much about numbers.

So…how would YOU define success for a project like this?

To be continued…