Leaving Success for Significance: A Call to Follow Jesus Wholeheartedly

In our journey through life, we often find ourselves at crossroads where we must choose between pursuing worldly success and embracing a higher calling. The story of Simon Peter’s encounter with Jesus by the Sea of Galilee offers a powerful illustration of this pivotal moment.

Picture the scene: Professional fishermen, exhausted after a fruitless night of work, are cleaning their nets when an unexpected guest steps into their boat. Jesus, the traveling teacher, asks them to push out a little from shore so He can address the crowds. Little did they know that this simple request would lead to a life-altering experience.

After finishing His teaching, Jesus instructs Simon to cast his nets into the deep water. Despite his skepticism, Simon obeys, and what follows is nothing short of miraculous. The nets fill with such an abundance of fish that they begin to tear, and the boats start to sink under the weight of the catch.

In this moment of supernatural provision, we witness a profound truth: sometimes, our greatest success can become the very thing that challenges our willingness to follow God’s call. Simon Peter, faced with the catch of a lifetime – a fisherman’s dream come true – is confronted with a choice that goes beyond material gain.

Overwhelmed by the presence of the divine, Peter falls at Jesus’ feet, acutely aware of his own sinfulness in contrast to Christ’s holiness. It’s in this vulnerable state that Jesus extends an invitation that would redefine Peter’s purpose: “Don’t be afraid. From now on, you will be catching people.”

The response to this call is immediate and absolute. Luke 5:11 tells us, “Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed him.” This moment encapsulates a fundamental truth about discipleship: following Jesus often requires leaving behind our definitions of success to pursue something of far greater significance.

But what does it truly mean to “leave everything” and follow Jesus? Does it necessitate abandoning our possessions, careers, or relationships? The answer lies not in what we physically leave behind, but in what those things represent.

For Peter, the boats full of fish symbolized worldly success – financial security, professional achievement, and community status. By walking away from this unprecedented catch, Peter wasn’t just leaving fish; he was surrendering his right to define success on his own terms. He was choosing eternal significance over temporal success.

This choice between success and significance is one we all face in various forms. Success is about personal achievement, gaining status, and making a name for ourselves. Significance, on the other hand, is about achieving a heavenly purpose, serving others, and making a lasting impact on people’s lives.

The call to follow Jesus challenges us to shift our focus from filling our own “boats” with the markers of worldly success to filling heaven with souls. It’s an invitation to trade the fleeting satisfaction of personal accomplishments for the enduring joy of advancing God’s kingdom.

But here’s the crucial question we must ask ourselves: What’s in our boat? What represents success in our lives? Is it the praise of colleagues, financial security, career advancement, or social status? Whatever it is, we must recognize that we cannot fully follow Jesus while clinging to these worldly measures of success.

This doesn’t always mean we must physically give up our jobs, homes, or possessions. Sometimes, the surrender is more internal – letting go of the need for control, releasing the pressure to meet others’ expectations, or mentally disassociating from the praise and accolades of people.

The challenge lies in discerning the difference between success and significance, especially when they can look remarkably similar on the surface. A preacher, for instance, might fill churches and receive praise, but the true measure of significance lies in whether lives are being transformed and heaven is being populated.

Jesus Himself modeled this prioritization of significance over success. In the wilderness, He rejected Satan’s temptations of power, authority, and worldly fame, choosing instead the path that led to the cross. He lived a life of perfect obedience and sacrificial love, demonstrating that true greatness lies not in what we accumulate for ourselves, but in what we give up for the sake of others.

As followers of Christ, we’re called to emulate this example. It’s not about asking whether we should quit our jobs or become overseas missionaries. Rather, it’s about examining whether we’re making disciples where we are, using our resources and influence to further God’s kingdom and bless others.

The beauty of this calling is that it’s not a one-time decision but an ongoing process of surrender and obedience. Even when we falter – as Peter himself did many times – we can always respond anew to Jesus’ invitation to leave behind worldly success and pursue heavenly significance.

This path isn’t easy. It often involves sacrifice, discomfort, and the risk of being misunderstood by others. But it’s a journey filled with purpose, joy, and eternal impact. Every time we choose significance over success, we’re not just denying ourselves; we’re opening the door for someone else to encounter the transforming love of Christ.

As we reflect on this call to significance, let’s consider:

1. What’s in our “boat” that we need to surrender to fully follow Jesus?
2. How can we use our current positions, resources, and relationships to make disciples and advance God’s kingdom?
3. In what areas of our lives are we still prioritizing worldly success over eternal significance?

May we, like Peter, have the courage to leave our nets – whatever they may be – and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. For in losing our lives for His sake, we find true life, purpose, and an impact that extends far beyond our earthly existence.

Let us embrace the adventure of living for something greater than ourselves, confident that every sacrifice made in pursuit of God’s calling yields a harvest of eternal significance. After all, a life poured out in service to Christ and others is the most successful life of all.