When I take my 'prayer walk,' I head straight to Gosford waterfront. For the first kilometer, I pray aloud between the sailing club and the bridge. On the way back, I ask God to speak to me. While walking, I notice a teenager fishing off the footpath. Suddenly, he reels in something big! A small crowd gathers as he struggles to pull the fish out. It's a magnificent flathead, a rare catch so close to shore. I interpret it as a sign from God, a message about becoming a fisher of men. But just as I'm pondering this, the fish slips off the line. Disheartened, I wonder if it's a sign to give up... Then, I watch in amazement as the boy grabs a glove from his bag, puts it on, and jumps into the water, braving rocks and oysters. With determination, he reaches into the water, attempting to catch the fish by hand. Eventually, he succeeds and lifts the fish triumphantly into the air. The crowd applauds as he brings it to shore. Reflecting on this, I realise that being a "fisher of men" isn't always easy, it's really hard! Sometimes, like the boy with the glove, you have to go the extra mile and try unconventional methods to reach those who seem out of reach. Especially the people who have fallen off the hook. It's a reminder that reaching people may require jumping into the unknown and putting in extra effort, but the reward is worth it.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9
"Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”, “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore" - John 21:4-8
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