“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Mark 1:17
I had quit fishing several years ago when I lost a good place to go, then found myself in a slump of not catching anything. I got tired of gathering the gear, driving to the bait shop, then to a new place…only to get skunked! I guess I just lost interest. So it was a treat last week when my son called and said he wanted to come down and fish with me! Apparently it was supposed to be a good night!
I searched around and dug up my old gear, much of which was now trashed, but was able to clean it up and get ready. He arrived with an anticipation that was contagious. Heading to the bait store I spent about $35 in bait and lures. Then we were off. We had a fun time.,.but STILL got skunked!
Riding by that same spot yesterday, I saw a man fishing there and HAD to go see how HE was doing! “I’m slayin’ em,’” he said! I was shocked. Me being me, I started asking questions that…THANKFULLY…HE was happy to answer! I not only got tips on how to do it better (tips are STILL NOT guarantees) but suggested reasons as to what we had done that HADN’T worked!
Obviously I am no fishing expert. But I CAN say that, after his lesson, I am anticipitorily enthused once more! One doesn’t need to be an experienced to know that fishing can be both fun AND frustrating. I was told by a friend, “that’s why they call it ‘fishing’ and not catching.” OBVIOUSLY…the odds are increased when teaching and learning are applied!
I’d imagine I’d be rather nervous and skeptical if I saw a table with a 10 course gourmet meal set up just outside my front door. Even it if was steak and lobster, I’d STILL approach with caution. Since fish LIVE in the water, they know what’s what, and do not grab at just anything! Bait needs to be presented NATURALLY. Even SATAN knows THAT! (James 1:14) It seems to me that a KEY to good fishing is the necessity of being a good STUDENT FIRST!
I think being a good student ALSO has a prerequisite, starting with a DESIRE to learn! Even though my house is FULL of material, needles, tools, and a great teacher, I have ZERO desire to LEARN how to sew! Being a Believer comes with much the same problem. The MASTER TEACHER WANTS to teach us HOW to ‘fish for people.’ But do ‘I’ want to learn? Do you?
