Gone fishing

Reading the story of Jesus calling his disciples in Luke 5 has brought some interesting thoughts to mind.

When we catch men do we use a single line hoping they will take the bait. Do we sit there passively waiting for them to come to use? Or do we cast the widest net in the boat, trying to catch whatever is within reach?

I don't know much about fishing, but I do know that when you use a line you set the hook with a particular bait if you are trying to catch a specific type of fish. Unfortunately I see most Christians (myself included) doing this type of fishing, we have one lure in our tackle box because we are only wanting to reel in one type of believer.

It is interesting to note that water in the Bible often symbolizes chaos and remains the domain of mysterious sea monsters, and that it is this parallel that Jesus chooses to use for his fishermen followers. The world is equally perilous. And it is from this chaos that Jesus commands us to draw people out of.

The disciples try an excuse, "Lord, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything." But their faith comes quickly to the surface, "But if you say so we will." And they brought up nets that broke under the catch. The same abundance is promised to us. If we cast our nets in our own power we will continue to draw up empty nets, working ourselves into exhaustion. But if we allow Jesus to bless our attempts the nets will break.

I wonder if we will respond like Peter did, "Lord, go away from me, for I am a sinful man." We will see ourselves in relationship to Jesus and hopefully that recognition will compel us into a life of faithful obedience, a willingness to lay down our nets and follow wherever he leads.

So I think I'm gonna go fishin' what about you?