6^th January 2015

 “One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers – Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew – throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed Him.”

Matthew 4:18-20 (NLT)

A good friend of mine wisely reminded me that fishing was not an individual activity in Biblical times but was a joint effort. Fisherman would take a team out on a boat, usually whilst dark, throw their large nets out together, wait for a catch and then haul their catch together. We remember the story of when Jesus supernaturally increased the number of fish in the days catch in Luke 5. There were so many that they needed help to haul them all in. However in today’s fishing world most people fish use a single pole whilst sitting by a lake or a river.

There is much significance in the fact that fishing was a communal/joint effort. So it is with fishing for men. Yes there are times when we are called to go fishing on our own with our single pole but there is great joy when we fish together with others. The power of unity speaks volumes. When we are committed together to seeing lives changed by the love of Christ, I genuinely believe that our catch will be so great that we wont be able to haul them in by ourselves. Whether our fishing method is through prayer, fasting, street evangelism, community centres, acts of kindness in our communities, whatever it is, when done in unity, together as group of people willing to see change in our nations, God will move in great power!!