Do you like to fish? Do you enjoy sitting along a lake or river casting your line in the water seeking to hook a fish? Is it more enjoyable for you to fish and catch nothing? Or, to catch a good batch of fish? How do you feel about catching people for the kingdom of God?
I have enjoyed fishing during my life. I have even enjoyed just sitting on the bank and not catching anything. But catching brings along a lot more excitement! There’s the rush of adrenalin when the pole bends from a bite and the fight to bring the fish in.
Fishing for people is much the same. We can enjoy our time being a positive representative of Jesus and His church. We can enjoy telling others about Jesus. But there is a whole ‘nother level when someone wants to learn more and commit their lives to Jesus because of the message we brought to them.
Let’s not fool ourselves. We are not the sole reason someone decides to come to Christ. God is working in that person. He has primed their heart to hear the message we bring. He has filled us with his Spirit who has nudged us down the path he wants us to go. We play a part in it—we are willing to be used by God.
Jesus calls Peter and Andrew to fish for people. He calls us to do the same. Peter and Andrew had profound impacts on the church, helping grow it in the first century. We, too, can help grow the church by being willing to go fishing AND catching for Jesus.
I pray we all are willing to be used by God. I pray we choose to fish for people. I pray each one of us will earnestly seek to catch people for Jesus and bring them into His church. Be willing to work for God. Go fishing for people. Ask God to guide you. Seek to bring people into the kingdom.
Mark 1:16-17 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.”
Marty Pressey 