Bible reading: Mark 1:17
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
I must admit that I have never fished, and I don’t think that I would enjoy it. When I go walking on the prom there are often people fishing. Sometimes there’s a family but at other times there is just one person. There seems to be a lot of equipment involved: fishing rods and stands, bait buckets, toolbox, stools and tents. I reckon patience is a must have and skill to know how to cast the line and what to do when a fish is caught. Plenty of warm clothes to protect themselves from the wind and rain is necessary as well.
I have stopped to watch when a fisherman is reeling in what he has caught. The largest fish I’ve seen has been a ray which was about two feet wide. The small fish are put back into the sea.
I often thought that fishing must be a lonely sport but watching more closely I noticed that the people leave their rods on stands and talk to others doing the same. They may be teaching their children a useful pastime and with luck and skill are providing food for their table.
Our lives need these things: companionship, food to eat and spiritual food and shelter from the storms of life. Jesus wants us to become “a fisher of men.” We have been commanded to proclaim the gospel message and tell others about God’s wonderful love for all people.
It’s never out of season to fish for souls.