My brother-in-law Tom Sater became an avid fisherman. At his recent funeral, it was recounted how—when he came home—my sister would ask, “How was the fishing?” His answer was always the same, “Even if the catching was bad, the fishing was good!” If we love fishing, this will always be the response.
It occurred to me that this is how “fishers of men” should feel, too! The apostles, the first “fishers of men,” felt “entrusted with the gospel” (1 Thes 2:4), the “message of reconciliation” committed to them by God Himself (2 Cor 5:19). It was a blessing and a responsibility: “…Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Cor 4:1-2). If we love fishing, this will always be the response.
Paul saw being a servant of the gospel as part of the “gift of the grace of God” (Eph 3:7-8). He felt unworthy, but Christ, “…considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service” (1 Tim 1:12-14 niv). We are saved by grace to serve. If we love grace, we will love fishing.
The fishing is good because of Who we are doing it for. We are not fishing for ourselves but for God. We are “…His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…” (Eph 2:10). Whether or not we personally like fishing or consider ourselves good at it, we do it because it is the will of our God. We try to give it our best and try to get good at it because God gave us His best. And eventually we actually like it because our hearts, minds, and desires change to be those of Christ’s (1 Cor 2:16). This will be our response as we come to love fishing.
The fishing is good because of Who we are doing it with. Paul considered himself and others to be “God’s co-workers” (2 Cor 6:1 niv). Even when Paul was alone, he knew, “…the Lord stood with me and strengthened me…” (2 Tim 4:17). Imagine being God’s co-workers, working with God Himself! Fishing with God! This is why we love fishing!
The fishing is good because of what is being offered. In the gospel, there is no fake lure or hook with a sharp barb. It is the “gospel of the grace of God” (Ac 20:24), the “gospel of peace” (Rom 10:15), the “gospel of your salvation” (Eph 1:13), and the “good news of God” (Rom 1:1 niv). We love fishing because we get to share the eternal life we have found in Christ with others who desperately need it.
The fishing is good even when the catching is bad. God is glorified in the fishing and not only in the catching. God is glorified when the light of the gospel shines in dark places, even when people continue to love the darkness (Jn 3:19-20)). We tend to judge the effectiveness of the fishing by the catching and become discouraged when the catching is bad—when people don’t respond to the gospel. People who love to fish find satisfaction in the fishing—period. Yes, they find joy when there is catching, but the catching isn’t the only point. Like the planting and watering in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, God says, “Fish!” and He gives the increase. And isn’t this the point of the great catch of fish in Luke 5? They had fished all night and caught nothing, “…nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net…” (5:3-10). Fish when the Lord says fish, even when the catching seems unlikely or non-existent. We fish. The Lord provides the fish. Even if the catching is bad, the fishing is good!