The players understood that Lombardi's style of leadership was so punishing, so demanding, because he was on their side. He desperately wanted them to succeed. Paul Hornung knew this and had such faith in head coach Vince Lombardi he would do anything Lombardi asked, knowing it was the best decision he could make.

While with Green Bay, Paul Hornung learned about discipline, work-ethic, and commitment from Coach Lombardi - a man who demanded it. Hornung had developed so much faith and trust in his head coach that he once said, "If Lombardi told me to run across this field, jump the wall and run into the bleachers and buy a box of popcorn, I'd do it, believing it would have an affect in winning the game."

We are trained from a very early age to chase after the world's definition of success. We are driven by goals, trophies and medals, recognition and accomplishments. As we grow older, we are almost pressed to compete in a race to accumulate knowledge and the "toys of the world" just to prove our success.

In our relationship with Christ, Jesus calls us into a new definition of success - not one evaluated by what we accomplish, but by our obedience.

The disciples walked, talked and lived with Jesus, yet they faced many challenges with their own faith and obedience to the Master. One evening after Christ had been crucified, Peter declared to some of the other disciples that he was going out to fish. John and his brother James, Nathanael, and a couple of other disciples decided to join Peter that night on the Sea of Tiberias. That night they caught nothing. Early the next morning Jesus called out to them from shore.

"Friends, haven't you any fish? Throw your nets on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish," (John 21:6)

John tells us that the net was full of large fish, and 153 fish were caught on that one cast of the net, (John 21:11). John as a fisherman by trade, records these facts as a matter of pride (what fisherman wouldn't tell about his biggest catch). I am sure that these great numbers of fish and their large size were an incredible catch, and any other fisherman of the day would recognize the success they attained that morning. But the fact is they would have been successful even if the net remained empty. The truth is they were successful the moment they were obedient and cast the net on the right side of the boat!

In any task we undertake, it is easy to become discouraged by our apparent lack of success. Too often we feel inadequate, and those feelings increase when our goals seem to be beyond our grasp. The one thing we must remember is the outcome is minor compared to our obedience to Christ. God doesn't need records, gold medals, or for that matter 153 fish. What He does desire is our willful obedience and trust! Our Master Coach desires a team who will love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, and who will follow Him!

Today begin to take your eyes off the accomplishment of the "catch" and what you can produce. Rather, refocus on taking each step according to His leading, His game plan for success. True success is found in following the true Leader.