The bible talks about a guy called Peter who went from living a mundane and predictable life to being transformed into a guy that changed the course of history. His life went from being virtually meaningless to vitally important all within the course of three years.
If you do not like where you are in life and desire for a change in trajectory, then you need to know the four things that changed the course of Peter’s life.
Take the Opportunities That Life Gives You
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him – Matthew 4:18-20
If Peter had not heeded Jesus’ words, he would have stayed a local fisherman. He wouldn’t have become one of the twelve disciples and he wouldn’t have become the father of the early church. Not that there is anything wrong with being a fisherman, but the point is he was called to do more, be more, and achieve more. When the call came, he did not hesitate! He immediately left what he was doing and jumped at the opportunity.
All that is required for you to change the course of your life is one wise decision in one fateful moment
It is not often that life presents trajectory changing opportunities. In fact, you may only get one opportunity in your life time. When that moment comes, do not let it walk away thinking you will get another chance, for you may not! And do not let your fear interfere! Seize the moment! Do not be afraid to drop the good thing that you have today so that you may take hold of a better thing tomorrow.
Changing the trajectory of your life will require you to get out of your comfort zone
Focus on People, Not on Things
The first time Jesus met Peter, he told him how he could change the trajectory of his life. Jesus told him that he would teach him to fish for people. Though Peter knew how to catch fish, he did not know how to catch people.
In school, we are taught how to catch things but we are not necessarily taught how to catch people. If you want to change the trajectory of your life, you will have to learn to catch people’s attention. You will have to learn to influence them and get them to notice you.
The best way to catch people’s attention is to help them solve a problem. The more problems you can solve, the more attention you will receive from people. Now, there are lots of problems out there just waiting to be solved – medical, financial, mental, relational etc. You don’t have to try to solve them all. Just choose one problem and do the best you can to solve that problem on a large scale.
This is in essence what Jesus was telling Peter: I will show you how to solve people’s problems and in doing that, men will be drawn to you.
Find a Good Mentor to Guide You
Jesus was Peter’s mentor. Peter stayed with him for three years. In those three years, he taught him what he knew (John 15:15). Then after he departed from Peter, he introduced him to another mentor that would lead him and guide him (Holy Spirit).
A good mentor is so secure in himself that he will teach you all that he knows and is not afraid to introduce you to another great mentor
An interesting thing about the other mentor Jesus introduced Peter to is that this particular mentor would never leave Peter. That is to say this: No matter how clever you are; no matter how accomplished you are; you can never outgrow needing a mentor in your life.
If you do not have a mentor, it is time for you to get one. Grow from their expertise; learn from their experience; gain from their influence.
Asking or admitting you need help is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of wisdom
Resist the Urge to Go Back When Times Get Hard
“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So, they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing – John 21:3
In this period of Peter’s life, he was crest-fallen that he no longer had Jesus as a mentor. He felt that the investment he had made over the last three years had led to nothing. So, he decided to go back to fishing – the first thing he was doing before Jesus called him to greatness. And he was not the only one. Others felt the same way he did and they followed suit. What happened? They caught nothing!
There will be times when you feel that you have simply wasted your time. There will be times when you ask yourself if you made the right decision. In these times, you may want to go back to the safe and secure world that you left behind. If you decide to go this route, know that it will leave you empty.
To make sure you do not go back, make sure you get rid of any plan B. This is exactly what Cortez did when he landed in the Americas. He burned the ships they took from Europe! He got rid of plan B.
By the way, Jesus ended up showing up again to help Peter and the others course-correct. And Peter ended up fulfilling the call he had on his life. Make sure you keep people in your life who will pull you up when you are down in the dumps.
If you do not quit, you will fulfil the great plan and purpose for your life
SuperChamp 
Right on time! I’ve just finished one huge project in disaster relief assistance where I was constantly involved in assisting others cope and recover from the traumatic experience of loss. I’ve been in this valley of a “break” for the last few weeks and was tempted to go back to the works I knew of before catastrophe work, but instead have decided to stay the course and expand my usefulness as His servant by expanding my knowledge, education, and qualification through certifications to further assist in these endeavors. I don’t know where it all ends up and that’s more than ok today because I am on the path through the doorway He has called me to walkthrough and I’m enjoying today in that aspect.
Thanks for the word and encouragement brother.
Anthony
You are welcome Anthony!!!