Gone Fishing – letting go of inhibitions

I did something for the fist time in all my eighteen and a half years of marriage – fishing with my husband. Not only had I never gone fishing with my husband before but, I had never gone fishing period. He had to teach me everything. Well, almost everything... I didn't bait the hook. According to a fellow fisherman on the pier with us, this wasn't fishing; what I was doing is called, catching fish. I liked catching fish. I didn't want to put a blood worm or a squid head on a hook! Despite my inhibitions, I still say I went fishing.

When I was catching fish, which I caught two☺, I couldn't stop thinking about Jesus telling His disciples to be "fishers of men."

"Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him." Matthew 4:18-20 (NASB)

Peter and Andrew were called fishermen and yet, they didn't use bait; just a net. Jesus used terminology that the fisherman would understand to follow Him. He said He would make them "fishers of men" – disciples of Jesus Christ. They would be taught how to live life in the Spirit first, while watching how Jesus lived, then sent out to do the fishing. This was a process that unfolds as one reads the gospels.

Just like real fishing, being a disciple is a learning process. My husband taught me to cast the rod, wait for a fish to nibble, hook the fish, and real it in. In fact, other fisherman on our same pier, shared bait with one another and gave helpful hits on where the fish were biting. The Christian life is not all about you. It's about learning to live for Christ along side other believers. As believers in Christ, we are called to be disciples. Jesus says to the disciples to go and make more disciples, in Matthew 28:19. Therefore, it's important to walk along side someone who is a mature disciple of Christ, in order to learn and do the same.

Peter and Andrew didn't hesitate to follow Christ. The scripture says they immediately let go and followed Him. Sometimes it's not that easy. We are reluctant to let go and follow Christ because we may have to do something that's uncomfortable. Just like those fisherman on the pier helped me, getting involved in a church that lives life together will encourage you and help you though your inhibitions and uncomfortable moments.

This isn't my last time fishing. Now that I've learned what to do, I want to go again. Plus, fishing with my husband brings us closer and builds our relationship. I am learning to let go of my inhibitions and want to be teachable. Who knows, maybe next time I'll bait the hook and be a real fisherman.

"Dear Jesus, thank you for being my teacher. I want to be teachable. Please help me let go of my inhibitions and fully follow you. Help me find a mentor and make me your disciple."

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014