Fishing in Ponds

“From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” (Luke 5:10 NLT)

My husband and his friends recently traveled to a different state to go fishing. For several days, they dedicated their time and energy into sitting in boats, catching fish, and bonding with each other. Some days they caught nothing, and other days they caught enough for supper. There are two ponds in our neighborhood where I have seen fish. There are several other ponds, rivers, and lakes within a few miles of our house. Once in a while, I see someone standing on the edge, fishing alone. This makes me wonder: why are local fishing spots less appealing than far away ones? Is it the number, size, or type of fish that are available? Is it that fishing from a boat feels more consequential? 

As followers of Christ, we are called to be fishers of people. How are we to do this? We could congregate in popular spots with others--mega churches, foreign mission trips, faith-based conferences, Christian music concerts, and stadium revivals, etc. The size and type of the crowd can make us feel significant. Plus, the social atmosphere and public validation can be exhilarating. Or we could spend time at the local pond where few gather. This is not glamorous. In fact, standing by the edge, day after day, with very little to show for our dedication, might seem unproductive. Yet, consistent devotion is the key to faith. Our role is to cast our nets wherever Christ points. We are to put out lines of communication and wait patiently. Neither the number nor the size of our catch is consequential; obedience and trust are what matters.