Do You “Cast” with Expectation?
“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:5
The most important qualities a fishing guide can bring his clients are: a working knowledge of the best tackle and local “hot spots” and an encouraging spirit. Once the fish are located, it’s important for the guide to encourage the anglers so that they fish with confidence. A good guide inspires people. An expectant cast will have a much greater chance of landing a fish than one that is simply dunked into the water. If we believe we are going to catch a fish, we stand ready to work the lure in a tempting manner and strike at the appropriate time. And so it is with “fishing for men.”
I have fished with a number of professional fishing guides over the last several decades, and believe me, as good as some of them are, no one can compete with the success that Jesus, the Master Guide, brought to his clients. Whether the disciples were about pursuing fish and game or saving souls, Jesus was (and still is) truly the Lord of the harvest. Peter, Andrew, James, and John were among the eight fishermen-disciples that are identified in scripture. Even with their professional expertise, they regularly needed the Master Guide’s help to catch a fish.
In Matthew 17, Peter receives instruction on where to go and what to use to catch a fish that has a coin in his mouth. In Luke 5, Jesus tells the crew where to find enough fish to fill up two boats. In John 21, He tells the disciples what side of the boat to cast their nets.
While Jesus taught them some principles about fishing, His primary objective was to guide their hearts to a better understanding of His Eternal Kingdom. He spent time with them, teaching them about love and serving others, humility and grace, truth and perseverance. He taught them that God’s ways are not our own and that we must pursue God with all our hearts. He often used fishing illustrations to help these common men recognize the importance of leaving their musty nets to pursue a life of catching souls. He gave them instructions, conviction, and confidence. He sent them on a mission and, when He returned to the Father, He left the Holy Spirit to guide all believers for generations to come.
We have all been sent on that mission. I’m so glad we’re on a guided trip. Let’s spend time with our Master Guide, learning His ways, catching His passion and purpose, and gaining our confidence from Him. Surely there will be no greater reward and honor than to stand with the Master Guide on the grandstand of Heaven to welcome those souls who were caught by our testimonies and landed by His Spirit.
The Power of Truth:
“Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” Luke 5:10b (NLT)
“The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” Psalm 32:8
“And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come.” Matt. 24:14 (NLT)
Suggestion for Prayer:
If you’ve forgotten what your mission is, allow the Lord to guide you. Ask God to give you the conviction and confidence you need to “begin your casting” with great expectation.