Fishing for People

Mark 1:17-18 Jesus called to them, "Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people." And they left their nets at once and went with him.

Simon and Andrew were brothers and Jesus saw them one day doing what they did every day. They were fishermen by trade and were going about their daily business. As it often happens, Jesus came to them where they were at. Isn't that wonderful? Jesus found them. He initiates contact with us. He seeks us out before we seek Him out. It tells me just how much the Lord loves us and wants to have fellowship with us. I notice also some other interesting things about the disciples' encounter with Jesus.

They left what they were doing and followed Jesus. They did not hesitate. They did not debate the issue. They just followed Jesus and left behind what they knew. They didn't know what it would mean for them; all they knew was that they had to follow Him. Even though they didn't know much about Jesus at the time, they knew enough to know they wanted to follow Him. Sometimes we have to do the same. We may not know all that we want to know, but when He bids us to follow Him, we just need to do it. He will teach us what we need to know when and as we need it.

They were ready to give up all they knew to follow Jesus. It is only when we give up our all to Him that we find life.

They were willing to let the Lord use who they were when they followed Him. They didn't become who they weren't. They were fishermen and often returned to their trade later in their lives. Sometimes the Lord changes the total direction of our lives, but often He uses us just as we are. The Lord makes us who we are and will use who we are for His glory if we will let Him. There are ways to serve Him no matter what we do for a living.