There are days I wouldn’t fish off the wall. Though pleasant — blue skies, great views, no crowds — there’s danger afoot. Spring hasn’t sprung, and the water is frigid. Mid-thirties frigid. Which is why we marveled at a rain-slickered man, working his lines, all by himself. It was unsettling. One absent-minded move and all could be over.

Jesus told His fishermen followers, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” The narrative ends with this: “At once they left their nets and followed him.” 

Not all fishing takes place on sunny ponds or scenic streams. The fishing Jesus referenced calls for surrender. It involves awkward challenges and dangerous places. People sometimes lose their lives “fishing for people.” In fact, many of us who follow Jesus today would know nothing about Him were it not for those who did their fishing at great personal cost. Beginning with Jesus Himself. 

When and where we fish is a consequential decision. But it begins with the decision to actually go fishing, no matter the setting.