You have to learn to fish

I grew up on the coast just north of Brisbane. And that means Fish! As a teenager, you’d often find me out in the boat with my sister’s husband. Steve was one of those guys that just couldn’t do any wrong. He always caught more fish, and he’d always have the biggest! Same bait, same hooks, same fishing spot… go figure!

Once, in the stormy buildup to a cyclone, no fish biting, choppy water, miserable – and Steve got his line caught on a reef. Yep, it could only be him… he pulled up a brand new fishing rod that someone had lost overboard!

Jesus says that leading people to Christ is like fishing! Some just do it natural. The rest of us have to learn. I was once talking to a guy I’d gone through Teachers College with. He was teaching at a Catholic School – Economics, History and Religious Education. No one else was there, and he said, “I’ve got no problem with God, but I just don’t know what I think about Jesus.” I was part-time on staff in one of the largest churches in Adelaide, and I didn’t know what to say! He didn’t ask me a question! What are you supposed to do with that? The fish was there. The bait was there. The hook was there. But I didn’t know how to put it all together. Five minutes later the moment was gone. The fish had swum away.

I was devastated, so I talked about it with an evangelist friend of mine. He said two things to me that revolutionised my approach to fishing for people…

First thing: Jesus said, “Come follow me, and I will make you a fisher of men.” He has to make you a fisher. Don’t beat yourself up. He understands that you’ll get it wrong on occasion. He’ll teach you how he would’ve fished when you’re reflecting on it afterwards with him.

And the second thing… “I would have asked him, What is it about Jesus you don’t get?” That’s it! I’ve discovered the secret of successful fishing is to ask great questions. It’s really easy. If you think it’s all about giving answers to people, you’ll struggle because most people aren’t asking any questions, even though deep down they have them. So, you ask the question. Brilliant.

Mark 1:17 “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”