We recently got to escape to the beach. There is something about the sound of waves, sand, water and sunshine that is good for the soul.. One of the things we enjoyed was spending a morning fishing.
We don’t frequently fish, but we do love getting out and casting a line into the water. It was so hot standing on the pier as the sun was beaming down on us. But we were able to see dolphins, pelicans and gulls in their habitat. What could be more relaxing?
As I cast my line over and over again, I would feel a little tug and reel my line in only to find that the sneaky little fish took the bait without being hooked. My husband started catching fish every time he dropped his line. I even asked him to take my picture with one of his fish so I could pretend to have caught one.
I seriously asked the Lord to let me catch just one fish and I would be so happy. Well, my prayer was answered. I caught one fish! Wow, what a lesson that taught me. I wonder if I would have not been specific on the number of fish, would I have caught more?
When my children were small, I would talk about being a fishers of men when we would go fishing. This trip caused me to think about this story in a different way.
You never know what is in the murky water where you may be fishing and yet we cast the bait in hopes of catching something good on the line. The bait is appealing and looks good and hopefully it lures a bite to be hooked.
As believers, we are to be fishers of men. Our responsibility is to be appealing enough through the testimony of our daily life to cause people to navigate through the murky waters and take the bait. If what we have is appealing, shiny and tasteful, then God will use that to bring people to Himself.
In today’s world, people are lost and have no direction. Some feel as though they are drowning as the waves of despair overtake them. Today, I want to encourage you to be a fisher of men, wherever you are. You might be the only one that will toss a line and reel a desperate soul to safety.
Today, ask God to direct you to one soul that needs to be reeled in. You never know where those encounters may be. It could be the local fishing hole, grocery store, mechanic shop, doctor office, park, work, or family gathering. Wherever you go, remember you are called to be a fisher of men.
“Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
Fun fact: This was my one and only fish and it looks bigger in the picture than it actually was. But what a fun day!