He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together.

Christ is the head of the church, which is his body. He is the first of all who will rise from the dead, so he is first in everything. COLOSSIANS 1:17-18

I was in my thirties, and I had already fulfilled my teenage dream: I was president and chairman of my own cable company; I was happily married and had a son who was exactly what every father hopes for; I was active in my church; and I was growing intellectually and culturally. I sincerely thought I had it made.

But like a thief in the night, the quiet intruder began disturbing my peace of mind. I began questioning where my success was leading me. I had perfected "the art of the deal" and took great pleasure in acquiring new assets. But what was I passing in the process?

The increasing turmoil over the direction of my life brought me to a strategic business consultant. Ignoring all my spreadsheets, lists of future projects, and notes about my strengths and weaknesses, this high-priced consultant asked me one simple question: "What's int the Box?" He asked me to draw a square in the middle of my legal pad. Then he gave me an assignment.

He said, "I've been listening to you for two hours, and I can't help you unless you put one thing in the box. For you, it is either money of Jesus Christ." He then instructed me to draw a symbol inside the box that represented my life's central passion.

As I was deciding what to put in the box, I thought What if God asked me to sell my business and give all my money away? Most of the time I felt God was a pretty good deal—if he didn't get in the way. But it was precisely my keeping him at arm's length that was causing the turmoil in my life. I had plenty of success, but what I really needed was significance.

Taking a deep breath, I reached for my pen and drew a little cross in the middle of the box. By doing that I was saying to God, "You are my primary loyalty. I am involved in many relationships, but no relationship will be as important to me from now on as you. If I have to choose, you're it."

I admit that drawing the little cross in the box was scary. Most of us really cling to our lives of property and privilege. We want to be in control. To "let go and let God" is fraught with risk and adventure. Today I still enjoy the thrill of doing deals, but instead of buying cable television systems, I am helping other successful people turn their faith into action.

If you are feeling discontented, I promise you that the still, small voice of God is inviting you to an enormous adventure that will be more fulfilling than any worldly success. I cannot tell you where it will lead. I can only tell you that the first step of this journey begins with making your life available to God. When you put him in the center of your life's box, you will begin to make the transition from success to significance.

"God has no more precious gift to a church or an age than a man who lives as an embodiment of his will, and inspires those around him with the faith of what grace can do."
—Andrew Murray,
nineteenth-century devotional writer and pastor

Leadership Devotional Books Each book contains 52 topical devotions compiled by the editors of Christianity Today International. You will find a wealth of Scripture references and personal anecdotes on how to be a more effective leader. Leadership Devotions seeks to strengthen the spiritual lives of Christian leaders so that they can maximize their effectiveness for Christ. The book is arranged topically on issues like humility, joy, perseverance, pride, and stress. Order the 2 book set or individual.

Excerpted from Leadership Devotions: Cultivating a Leader's Heart, pages 181-184. Edited and selected by David Goetz. Copyright © 2001 Christianity Today International. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. For reprint information call 630-260-6200.