Monday, January 10
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”
—Mark 1:16-17
First someone fishes for us, then we fish for others. That is the way of the Christian pilgrimage. You would likely not be reading this if someone had not fished for you—reached out to you, loved you, told you about God’s embrace waiting for you.
It may have been a helping hand at work, or the love you received from a parent, or forgiveness and reconciliation after some conflict. God is always working through us to love others, and through others to love us. You may have been one of those who has benefited from divine love in your life.
When that happens we take on a new and exciting responsibility—to be fishers of others. The “hook” that we use is caring. That caring can come in many ways, many forms, many settings. It is always marked by being “unworldly”; that is, it is not selfish and it is not done with any agenda except to help another person be comforted or guided or loved.
The world can be a cold and scary place. The warm and comforting love of God in Christ is a special dimension, an “otherworldly” presence among the ordinary and sometimes difficult days and nights of life. That love, that warmth and presence, can give us hope and power to live life victoriously, in a way in which joy is ours, quietly deep within, even in the midst of difficulties.
So keep on fishing and keep on taking the “hook.” Allow yourself to be loved, to be comforted. Then turn around and find someone at whom to aim your “hook.” You will be nurtured even more, when you do for others.
Hook, me Lord—I want to be caught!
These Signposts originally appeared on explorefaith in 2007.
