THE BEST FISHING HOLES
Matthew 4:19
Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
We had climbed up high into the Colorado Rockies to a small stream in the timber to catch some trout for a special dinner for family and friends. I had caught a few fish, tasty 7-8" brook trout, perfect for the fry pan. As I followed the stream higher into the dark timber I came to a small old beaver pond that looked promising. I cast my line all around that pond with no success. I kept telling myself that there had to be trout there... but no success. Finally I dropped the hook down beneath the log I was actually standing on.
I stood for a minute contemplating my next fishing hole. As I went to lift the line back up I felt a firm tug, so I tugged back. That tug got a quick response, as the trout of a lifetime came bursting forth from under that log. Before I landed that fish I was waist deep in a silty pond completely covered in mud... but I got him... nearly 20" of gorgeous Brook trout.
As Christians we are called to be "fishers of men". Many individuals and churches expend so much effort and money casting out to all over the "pond" trying to reach out to those all over the world, and that is a good thing. However, we can never forget those that are right here under our feet, in our own "fishing hole." It's like that hungry trout in the small beaver pond, I tried the entire pond, expending time and energy... and the fish that was there and hungry was right there, "under my feet."
It is far easier to share Christ with someone you will never see again, but those that we see everyday also need to know Jesus in a personal relationship as well. We can do a lot more for a lot less in our own work, schools, neighborhoods etc. We are called to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel" (Matthew 28:19) but most of us spend 99% of our time with the same people in the same community, that is a great fishing hole when you are "fishers of men."
I don't think anyone could argue that our country is in desperate need of Jesus Christ. We think that our nation is too far gone to have them turn around to Christ. But consider those that were in Ninevah in the old testament. They were "wicked", according to God's own word. And when Johan finally made it there and spread the word of God, they repented and every one of them turned to God. It could happened in you neighborhood, your town, your state or this entire country... but someone has to go fishing for those that are lost.
Yes, go out wherever you can and share Jesus's love and grace to whoever you can, but remember some of the best fishing holes are right close to home. Sometimes they're right under your feet.
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