Most people strive to better themselves in different ways. Whether by hitting the gym, eating healthier, or setting personal goals, people typically want to become better. It’s good to accomplish things on our own, but sometimes, we need help to truly succeed.
In this week’s Gospel, some of Jesus’ disciples struggled to catch any fish. But when Jesus told them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat, they hauled in so many fish that they couldn’t even pull the nets in. On their own, they failed, but with Jesus, they experienced overwhelming success.
Our greatest potential isn’t found in career achievements, wealth, or exceptional performance. Our highest calling is to reach Heaven, and we need Jesus to get there. As He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.” We might enjoy temporary success on our own, but without Jesus, we will ultimately fall short.
Even if we accomplish every worldly goal, that success means little compared to the joy of eternal life. How could a hundred years of earthly greatness ever compare to an eternity in Heaven? We must keep our focus not just on what we can achieve here, but even more so on attaining Heaven.
Let’s set our sights on the prize of Heaven and do whatever it takes to get there. We owe everything to God, and without Him, we can do nothing of lasting value. When we put Jesus at the center of our lives, everything else falls into place. We’ll be less likely to make choices that distance us from Him and more likely to reach our greatest potential: eternal life.
