Reminders: Fishers of Men

Joe picked Jake up for church one Sunday morning.  It was a sunny winter day and Joe suggested that instead of going to church maybe they should go ice fishing instead.  Jake thought they should go to church first, and then go fishing, but Joe rationalized that Jesus had a soft spot for fishermen, and would surely understand, so Jake went along with the idea.  They found a nice place, and Joe got out the ice auger and started drilling a hole, and Jake stated baiting his hook.

A booming voice came from above, “THERE ARE NO FISH HERE.  NOW GO!”  Joe thought God was directing them to a better spot, but Jake felt guilty, and thought He was telling them to go to church.  Joe was persuasive, and convinced Jake to move.  He started to drill another hole.  Again the voice from above said,  “THERE ARE NO FISH HERE, GO!  NOW!”  This time Jake said, “God, what are you trying to tell us?”  And the voice said, “THIS IS THE SKATING RINK MANAGER.  HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU GUYS TO GO?”

Sometimes God is trying to tell us something, and we think, like Joe, that He is directing us to a better spot toward our own selfish goals, but He might be telling us that He has other plans for us.  If we just keep doing what we want to do, and we keep rationalizing that we are doing what is best for us, our efforts will be in vain.  We will not be doing what God has planned for us.  Discerning God’s purpose is not always easy, because we resist, thinking that if we pursue our own dreams, we will become someone important. 

God doesn’t direct us through loud speakers mounted on the roof of the skating rink, warming center.  He gently nudges us in the right direction.  He also gives us subtle warnings when we are headed in the wrong direction.  Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Mark 1:17   Jesus told his followers what he wanted them to do.  They didn’t always understand, but he promised to guide them.  Believe in Jesus, and He will guide you too.