Fisher of Men

   
     Simon Peter.  He had great faith.  He was humble.  He was obedient.  Jesus had been sitting in Simon's boat teaching a group of people who were on shore.  Once he had finished speaking, he instructed Simon Peter to go out deeper and throw his nets over the side of the boat to catch some fish.  (Luke 5) "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything.  But because you say so, I will let down the nets."  He ended up catching so many fish that Simon and his friends filled two boats full and began sinking.  When Simon Peter saw this he fell to his knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord;  I am a sinful man!"  But Jesus reassured him, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men."  When they got back to shore they left everything and followed Jesus.
     After a long day of hard, unfruitful laboring, I don't know that I would have been so eager to go back out and try again just because someone told me to.  Knowing that it was Jesus and knowing the miracles that he can perform would have given me a lot more reason for believing and doing, but I have a hard time believing that there wouldn't have been at least a little bit of doubt in my mind.  Sad, but true.  Simon Peter knew Jesus could do anything.  And even after seeing the fish pour into the boat, he fell before him in humility.  I am not worthy of you, Lord!  What a heart!
     I sit here trying to imagine if Jesus had called me to be one of his 12 disciples - if he said to me, "from now on you will catch men."  That is an amazing thing!  It would be a difficult path to go down, but what an honor!  It would mean choosing a path of servitude, love, and persecution.  What about now?  He calls me where I am right now.  Is my attitude the same?  Am I honored to be called his disciple today?
     "Lord, help me to choose a path of servitude.  Help me not to doubt you.  Help me to be bold.  Help me to be humble.  There is no good thing in me outside of you.  It is a gift to be called a servant of the Most High.  Help me to see it that way more and more.  Thank you for who you are Lord God.  I praise you!"