Letting down the nets

I re-read the story of Jesus calling Peter and his fellow fisherman to let down their nets after an all night fishing venture in Luke 5:1-11. I can really relate to Peter in his moment with Jesus concerning fishing skills.

When Marlane and I traveled to Pagosa Springs, Colorado last summer our intent was to fish for at least three of five days. The three days we trout fished comprise the waters of the Piedra River, San Juan River, East Fork of the San Juan River, and the best fishing hole, the headwaters of the South Fork of the Rio Grande River on the east side of Wolf Creek Pass. What a glorious time whether or not catching any fish.

However, it was until I did some investigation of the proper fly patterns and techniques and the best times to fish that I was successful in the catch. Matching the hatch and fly presentation were the most important parts of this type of fishing for brown, rainbow, and native cutthroat trout. After the instruction and insights from various area experts and observation of the different stretchs of water, I became more successful in catching fish (of course there were times they weren't feeding or I spooked the fish). Listening to the indigent fisherman though was very beneficial to catching some beautiful fish (yes, I released them all back to the waters).

It is the same for us as Christians. We must listen to Jesus on where to fish and on what to use for bait and how to present the bait to attract and make the catch. Jesus called Peter and his fishin' buddies to be fishers of people...the same call for each of us as disciples. May we listen to Jesus the master fisherman, learn from him, and go fishin' his way with determination, passion, presentation, and patience. Oh, and by the way, may we catch and release the "fish" for fishing for others and not catch and consume the fish.

Fishin' together,

Pastor Jack