This passage from the good book has always been a favorite of mine. If you think about it, it's fascinating. These seemingly ordinary men accepted an invitation from Jesus Christ that completely transformed their lives forever. I often wonder what was going through their minds moments after. I imagine it sounded something like this: “I’m just a fisherman Jesus, how is this supposed to work? This is all I know how to do, how can I be of use?” The beautiful part about Jesus is that He always calls people to Him first, then He qualifies. So, while we may doubt ourselves and abilities, he knows the gifts that He’s placed in each of us. The four left everything behind to take up a new mantle.  Were their friends and family going to understand?

Maybe, maybe not.
Was the rest of the world going to look at them like they were crazy?
Perhaps. 
Sometimes you will have to leave things behind to be where God wants you to be and become who God called you to become.

To follow Him is to set aside our own goals and to embrace the purposes for which God created us. He has called us to know Him in a personal way and to make disciples of others by teaching them about Christ. This is why the “fishers of Men'' metaphor is so impactful. During those times, fishermen used nets that they CAST out into the water to haul the fish into the boat. To be the most effective, the net needed to be cast far and wide.

As fishers of men, are we casting our nets, and if so how far? Are we willing to talk about Him in whatever space He shows up in? When we feel that pull in our guts to pray with someone, do we do it or do we let the moment pass? These moments of growth are uncomfortable, but they are necessary. I am always amazed by what happens on the other side of our obedience. Each time we get a chance to encourage someone or speak life over them is a moment where we have a chance to cast our net out to bring people closer to Jesus.

If we are being honest, this is always something I wrestled with in the past. I was always concerned with what my friends would think. I also did not want to feel different. What I found out over time was that God is a God of opportunity. The more I was willing to let Him use me, the more opportunities to pray with someone or bring up His name in conversations came by. In Luke 12:11-12, Jesus reminds us to not worry about how or what we should say when in conversation with others, but to remember that the Holy Spirit will teach us what to say at the moment we need to say it. He is only concerned with our “yes”-- everything else is covered.

I don't think it was a coincidence that the passage also highlights that two of the fishermen were taking time to MEND their nets. As important as it is to cast our net, it is equally important that we are mending our net as well. This makes sense when you think about it. As a fisherman, I can't cast a broken net. As a “fisher of Men,” I can't minister to others if I don’t continually mend and work on my relationship with God. Keeping that line of communication through prayer with Him is what gives us the strength and the language to be His hands and feet.  

I want to encourage us today to be the “fishers of men” that He called us to be. To cast our nets far and wide in His name, no matter where He has us. The disciples were willing to drop everything for Jesus and allowed God to use them to teach anyone and everyone they came into contact with about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Are we willing to do the same? Are we willing to leave the identity we created for ourselves behind for the life He’s called us to? If so, what does that mean for those we come into contact with? Will you follow Him even there?