Gone Fishin'

 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." Matthew 4:19

    When my great-nephew, Mason, was around twelve years old, I took him fishing. He had come prepared with a pole and a bucket of worms. His dad had assured me Mason knew how to fish, which fancied me just fine since I am not partial to the activity. Even the thought of putting a worm on the hook made me squeamish.

    Out on the pier, he put the hapless worm into the water and, in no time, he drew up a fish! After a moment of celebration, it was time to release the catch, but Mason motioned for me to do this odious task saying he didn't know how it was done. Well, neither did I! We bantered back and forth about it until it became clear that it was up to the adult to take it off the hook. As soon as I reached for it, the poor thing began to furiously flap about and I let out a scream. I then employed a seasoned fisherman on the next pier to help us. Then we went home.

    When Jesus called the first disciples, He walked beside the Sea of Galilee and invited four fishermen to fish for men and women. "At once they left their nets and followed him." (Matthew 4:20)

    I wish I were as eager as they were.

    Why do I have such fear and reticence when it comes to sharing my most precious possession: my faith in Jesus? I have wasted more time fishing around in the murky waters trying to draw up that smelly sack of my sins that Jesus hurled in there, paying no heed to His posted sign: "No Fishing." (see Micah 7:19)  

    Why do I do this? 

    Then I considered the Great Commission in which Jesus said, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28: 19-20) The very word "commission" defines it as a co-mission, meaning Jesus and I are fishing together! I have His promise that seals it right there in the verse.

    Instead of wasting time listening to the Accuser, I am going to follow Jesus to the pier. He has all the gear, He holds the license and the "fish" belong to Him. He just wants me to come along and share my story with others. 

    I can gladly do that, no worms involved!

"Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples didn't realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, 'Friends, haven't you any fish?'

"'No,' they answered.

"He said, 'Throw your net 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: 5-6