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There once was a group of men who called themselves great fishermen.

They were surrounded with lakes and waterways plentiful with fish.

They knew just about everything there was to know about fish.

And they often told longwinded stories about them.

Why, at Harper’s Ben I saw a blue gill this long.

Noooo, really?

They were self-proclaimed experts in this area on fishing.

They even opened a school on fishing.

This is how you bait your hook.

The school was so successful that they formed a fishing board and held fishing clinics all across the country.

They hired a support staff, formed committees for regulating waterways, and opened up massive training centers on how to fish.

They believed that fishing was so wonderful that everyone should participate in it in some fashion.

There are thousands of fish out there just waiting to be caught.

During one big fishing rally a young man tearfully came forward and said…

I believe I am called to dedicate my life to the fishing industry.

Praise be to cod!

With great applause and fanfare he went out into a remote land and opened a new training center on fishing.

Everything was going great until a small boy asked…

Oh, great leader, how many fish have you caught?

Me? Uh…

Have I ever shown you how to make a lure?

Yes, many times.

I was wondering though, with all of your great knowledge, how many fish have you caught?

In a minute. Let me show you how to cast your line.

You’ve already shown me that many tines. I just wondered how…

I know! I know! Look, sonny, I’m really busy right now…some other time, okay?

Hmmm, I wonder why he didn’t answer me.

The boy went out to the lake where he saw many well-trained fishermen on the dock.

But he saw no one was actually fishing.

Yep. There they are, swimming around down there.

Suddenly it dawned on him! While there were lots of people enthused about fishing, talking about fishing, writing about fishing…

Nobody is fishing!

So he ran home to get his fishing pole. When he returned, the crowd of fishermen gasped!

He’s going to actually fish!

Gasp!

Perhaps because of their own guilt for not fishing themselves, many well meaning fishermen tried to discourage him.

You shouldn’t do that! You’re not qualified and certified yet.

And you’re not even holding the pole right.

Are you sure you are using the right lures?

When lo and behold…

I caught a fish!

He caught a fish!

The boy was made an instant hero. He was immediately declared a fishing expert. He was put on the board of directors. 

He was commissioned to write a book entitled, “fishing with boldness.” And he was sent on a whirlwind speaking tour.

Unfortunately, the boy never fished again. He didn’t have time.

Moral: 

Jesus said…

Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people. (Matthew 4:19).

As we pour ourselves into all our church activities (prayer groups, pot luck dinners, committee meetings, Bible studies, church league softball, Sunday school classes, conferences, etc.) it is too easy for each of us to neglect our primary aim of “fishing for people”.

Jesus gave us what’s called the “great commission”…

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19).

Who is God prompting you to reach and disciple?

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