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Fishermen

    As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew.  They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”  Matt 4:18 – 19

   Note – Excerpt from “Sailing With God”

Our sailboat slowly and silently slips into Adams Creek.  It is a peaceful deep body of water that connects the Neuse River to the Intracoastal Waterway that will take us to Beaufort Inlet. The evening wind fills the sail with a gentle caress.  Our boat seems to know the day’s journey is over.  It is anxious to rest after a long hot day of sailing.   There is no resistance as we furl our sails and slip into the quiet lagoon to where we will drop anchor for the night.  The onset of evening brings a brief pause to our journey, a time for rest and peace.

    As the golden sun slowly kisses the horizon, the day gives way to the gentle songs of dusk.  The sweet calls of the whippoorwills join in beautiful chorus with tiny tree frogs and tireless crickets. 

     Among this peaceful scene is a stately fleet of fishing boats at anchor, resting and waiting.  They are “shrimpers”.  As we settle in for a well-earned rest, their “day” is just beginning.  We watch in awe as they prepare their nets for a long night of fishing.  The boats are proud and majestic.  The low rumble of their diesel engines churn the water with reserved power, their mighty engines idle, waiting for their captains to give the command that will propel them into their faithful labor.  The smell of coffee drifts over the gentle waves.  Slowly the boats move into preordained positions.  Some stay in the creek, some move into the open river, and others head out toward the inlet.  They are powerful and patient as they wait for the horizon to finish engulfing the sinking red sun.  Green mesh nets stand in readiness waiting to be cast into the sea.

     For awhile we quietly sit on deck watching the fisherman as they check their nets, their engines, and ice machines.  When a soft blanket of darkness settles in and the stars claim the sky as home, we yawn and know that soon sleep will embrace us.  Still we watch and wait, fascinated by the glimpse into a life and culture not our own.

     One last swill of coffee from an old rusty thermos and the fishermen are ready for their night of work.  The half dozen or so boats that remained in the creek are assembled in a strange sense of order.  Where one net stops, another net begins.  Water one boat may miss another boat covers.  Working together as a unit, the fishing fleet hauls in an optimum catch.  Big boats and small boats, old and new, wooden and steel – each fishing boat is a partner of the other, each working toward the same goal, all the boats will work together throughout the dark night.  They are brothers in labor – intent on harvesting a good catch.

     As I watch, I think of how often the Good Lord likened ministers to fishermen.  Most of the apostles were fishermen before God called them into His service.  What a beautiful picture of ministry. How fitting that the Lord told His disciples He would make them fishers of men.  It was a picture and job they understood.  

   As Christians, Christ has called each of us to a ministry.  We may not stand in a pulpit before an organized congregation – but every day we do come into contact with lost sinners and hurting brothers and sisters in Christ.  The faith graciously given us by a loving God is a call for us to fish for the souls.  We are to minister to the people God brings into our lives, family, neighbors, co-workers and friends.  Jesus trained His disciples to become fishers of men.  God trains us through His Word, and commands that we like His disciples become ministers in all areas of our lives. It is our calling to spread the wonderful Gospel story.  It is a joy to minister Christ’s love to those who are lost and hurting.  It is our duty to lead the blind to the God who loves them and promises atonement and salvation through Jesus.

    We must work together to bring in a plentiful harvest.  It is a hard job, one that requires dedication, brotherhood, love, faith and stamina.

     May the God of all grant a plentiful harvest and tireless souls and hearts as we minister to those He has placed into our lives.  May God bless the fishermen, a true inspiration and role model for us all. 

• Thought for meditation:

Remember it is the Holy Spirit within you that will strengthen you and give you the words to speak.  It is not by your power – rather it is by God’s power.  We may plant the seeds, but the harvest belongs to God.