“And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17)
Patient anticipation, those who throw hook and line into the depths of the water understand these two words full well, not much more can be done after that action but to anticipate with patience the hope of all the fruits of their labors.
The time spent in preparing the items for the tacklebox, sharpening hooks, the proper bait and lures, fishing poles and the correct lines, where to go and when to go. Much effort and forethought is necessary before that patient anticipation can even begin.
“And patience, experience; and experience, hope:” (Romans 5:4)
None of us who fish for men, who go out into the world to seek the lost, go without hope, and we never go without preparation. We study the Word of God to show ourselves approved, we pray that the Lord will direct our steps as well as those He has prepared to meet us, we have His words hidden in our hearts, and those who are sincere in their efforts for His glory contemplate the nature of mankind, the way they think, and the way of this world.
The knowledgeable fishermen always takes with him clothing to protect him from the weather, for the storms may appear suddenly, and so we, as Christian soldiers, would not dare to go into enemy territory without our armor, and the knowledge of how to use it properly.
“In your patience possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19)
Many of our journeys as fishers of men may yield nothing, the anticipation of a catch, so to speak, may wane as time passes, which in itself, if we are not cautious of that patient anticipation, may cause us to lose hope, cause us to think we may not have prepared properly, are not listening correctly to the Holy Spirit, and so we may begin to grow weary in the work. Not because there is so much of it, but because we have not brought anything into the boat for so very long.
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” (Rev. 14:12)
When few rewards are seen, our hope can dwindle, and the anticipation can lessen within us, our patience may need to become the focus of our efforts.
One, just one occasionally, can be all we need to fortify our desire to continue to serve in this manner the One who has taught us how to fish. And He blesses us in this, not always in one who we speak to that calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of their soul, but words of encouragement, of thanks from those we have spoken to in the past, reminders that our work is not in vain.
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” (1st Cor. 3:6)
All we can do is prepare, obey in love for Him who first loved us, and then move with confidence in the hope that our patient anticipation will be rewarded.
But not for us.
We have our rewards, the knowledge that we are and always will be loved, that we are heirs of the Kingdom of heaven. The reward is watching as one we speak to listens, the joy we see in them when they finally hear the truths spoken to them. Their joy is our joy.
And then, as much as we are led to, we teach them how to fish as well.
There is no such thing as “catch and release” in this matter my friends, except in this truth.
“Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.” (Prov. 14:7)
You cannot force the fish onto the hook, but you can wait patiently on the Lord to do so for you. But I will offer you this truth, if you do not go out fishing, you will never catch anything.
