I Will Make You Fishers of Men

We recently took our kids fishing. Taking four young, inexperienced children to fish for the afternoon is a lot of work, just ask my husband. I’m not too helpful when it comes to catching literal fish. There are hooks caught deep under fallen trees in the water, there are hooks snagged high overhead in still standing trees. There are many knots to be tied. And bait to be rigged. Endless showing, telling, teaching, reminding, laughing, crying, encouraging, patience, impatience, frustration, and … temptation to just give up and go for a swim.

But, then a fish is caught by Dad, such excitement, rejoicing and childhood wonder. And the renewed desire to catch one of their own.

It made me recall the story of Peter, the professional, fishing all night and not catching any. And how the Lord told him to go back out and cast his net on the other side. His private thoughts may have included sentiments, such as “what does a Rabbi think he’s doing telling me how to fish? I’m tired, it’s time to sleep; I can head out again next night.”

But, regardless of his true or imagined thoughts Peter obeyed. And what a reward for simple obedience he received!

I have been faithfully “fishing for men” for over 10 years now, I have not personally led anyone to the Lord. I truly believe one of the reasons for this is that the Lord, in His mercy, keeps many of us from seeing a full net until we reach heaven. This keeps us humble and dependent on Him.

Meanwhile my skills have been honed, my boldness increased, and the excitement to see my net full of fish grows with each passing day.

I have yet to see with my eyes a soul saved except the most important ones, our old-enough children. These children, although young, know more about being fishers of men than they do about fishing for fish. They have stood beside me over the years observing, listening, learning and as they get older, respectfully adding something to the conversation, either with a thoughtful question or a relevant scripture.

One tract at a time, one conversation started, the glorious gospel shared again and again and again. I am sowing seeds, and watering seeds but thankfully it is God who does the impossible, to make those seeds grow and fill empty nets with fish.

Given the right conditions a farmer may enjoy a bumper crop when he reaps an overly abundant harvest for his labours. The Lord also uses the farmer analogy for soul winning. We have the potential to reap much more than we sow. Sow a few kernels of corn and how many do we harvest? 30, 50, or 100 times!?

How does this apply when we are fishing for men and or sowing/watering in the field?

It is the domino effect. Have you seen those incredible domino shows? It starts with one falling domino that hits another and the spectacular cascading effect ripples on down the line, gaining momentum as many multiples begin to touch more and more. How about you? Are you in “The Domino Show”? Have you been “struck” by the gospel? If you have been born again, are you still standing rigid and tall, or have you tipped far enough forward to strike the next dominos? One life touching many lives, and those touched lives touching many more lives until the end.

How may we ensure that we tip over the maximum number of dominos in the life that we have been given?

James 4:3 “You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”

Furthermore we have Jesus’ promise that “If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

It seems in the past I have had far too tiny goals. I have hoped for 10, 20, maybe 50 souls that I might have some part in bringing to Christ in my lifetime and that would have been beyond my wildest dreams.

But when Peter obeyed, his nets were going to tear, his boat couldn’t hold them all. What does this tell me?

The Lord is looking for faithful, obedient laborers in His fields. He will reward those who cast their nets far and wide as well as those who sow and water.

Let us not forget to ask Him for a bumper crop! For Him to help us to be obedient faithful tools in His hands. Do you know that He could send someone to your doorstep on any day at anytime from anywhere in the world to hear the gospel? The next time someone shows up at your door will you be ready to speak to them? Did you ever imagine that every person you encounter daily could have been brought to that time and place so that you could share the gospel with them? One of the driving factors to help me to speak regularly to folks I encounter is the imminence of Christ’s return. This eager expectation helps me overcome my fears and love for that person constrains me to speak. That one person may end up touching many more than I ever could.

I have great confidence in what the Lord is doing, under the water and deep down in the dirt, where my baited lines are bobbing, my drag-nets are tossed and seeds are planted, watered, and made to grow.

He has promised that His word will not return to Him void but that it will accomplish what He pleases. (Isa 55:11)

Have you considered the irony of Jonah? Jonah was given the opportunity of a lifetime to bring in a massive catch of men before Jesus ever coined the term fisher of men. When Jonah disobeyed, God used a fish to catch the man!

Praise the Lord of the harvest.

Kristi Davis is a member of Grace Baptist Church of Victoria. She and her husband have four young children and are active in the ministry of their church.