Jesus summoned Peter to follow him even though he was imperfect. One of the reasons we relate to Peter so well is because he messes up—just like us!

Peter is a reminder that we follow Jesus faithfully, not perfectly.

In Luke 5 Jesus told Peter to throw out his nets for a catch of fish. Peter was skeptical because he had just spent the entire night fishing to no avail. But out of respect for Jesus, he did what he asked.

After pulling in a MASSIVE catch that was nothing short of mind-blowing, he humbled himself before Jesus: “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8).

He was trying. He was imperfect. He was sorry. He was honest.

To me it’s a reminder that you don’t have to BE Jesus; you have to FOLLOW Jesus.

Isn’t that refreshingly good news?

Yes, we should definitely try to grow in our faith and become more and more LIKE him. But if we only equate success with perfection, we’re setting ourselves up for a daily diet of defeat. 

Learn from him. Talk to him. Live differently as a result. But don’t be so frustrated by your own shortcomings that you forget the fact that you are chosen and cherished.

You don’t have to be Jesus; you have to follow Jesus.

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—NEW: Do you want to explore this story from Luke 5:1-11 with greater depth? If so, I’ve posted a podcast (that you listen to) of an in-depth look. Again, this is a preview from the yet-to-be-announced The Pulse Podcast. (More on that soon.) To tune in, go here.

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–Bible quotes are from the NIV.