Gone Fishin’

If you read through the Gospels, four books written about Jesus in this world, you’ll see a lot of references to fishing. It was an important trade in many of the areas He ventured. The guys who fished back then would have been kind of rough and rugged. They mostly fished at night, staying out and hoping to bring back full nets in the morning. They made a good living, but had to know what they were doing. They worked hard to put food on their tables and take care of their families. Their lives revolved around fishing. Jesus actually called some of these fishermen as His first followers, telling them to leave their boats behind because He was going to make them fishers of men. But why would they walk away from their livelihood to follow a guy around the countryside? All they knew was fishing. Which is exactly why Jesus referenced fishing in the calling placed on their lives. Jesus was telling them that everything they put into fishing, He wanted them to bring that into living life with Him. All of their grit and determination, bring it. All of their real and raw energy, bring it. All of their expertise and knowledge, bring it. All of their desire to care for others, bring it. Jesus didn’t want followers who had simply been created and curated in a crispy clean church. He wanted real people to bring their real lives and follow Him. That means that we mess up sometimes. But guess what? God will keep calling you. Over and over again if needed. Peter shows us how to walk (and swim) this out better than anyone. Never perfect, but always willing to pursue the One who is. Join Emily as we check out his story and learn how to forgive our imperfect selves and run toward renewal.