"As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers ...They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:18-19 NIV
Peter and Andrew, the two fishermen in this story, were hard-working men who faced challenges much as we do. In a parallel passage in Luke 5, we read that they had an unsuccessful night of fishing before Jesus helped them. In our everyday lives, we also can have challenges and disappointments in spite of our diligent efforts. Perhaps Peter and Andrew wondered why they kept fishing when sometimes it was so hard to catch any fish. But when Jesus called them to follow him, he gave them a greater purpose in their lives. He said that they wouldn't just put food on their tables and pay their bills, but that they would be "fishers of men". He is telling them that they will have a profound influence on other people and their lives will be truly meaningful.
Thank you, Lord, for giving us a deeper purpose to our lives. Thank you for blessing us with an outward- looking life that grows us more and more into the likeness of you. I pray that I will be listening to your word and direction as you show me where the "fish" in my life are and how I can show them your love.
