You’ve been in the boat all day, frustrated that all you’ve gotten are a few nibbles by little fish whose mouths aren’t big enough to get over your hook OR a few chomps by big fish that took the bait but got away as you were reeling them in. All you want to do is go back and relax on shore. As you approach the dock, your family or friends call out, “Catch anything?” Which only adds to your frustration.

Isn’t that how you feel sometimes as a Christian? You keep throwing your gospel lines into the water to the people around you. A few seem to nibble, others chomp down but then release themselves; finally, there are those who don’t seem to come close to the boat. And it’s frustrating, especially when the “fish” you’re trying to catch is someone close to you. Then to add to your frustration, you have to answer negatively to those who ask, “Catch anything?” 

But don’t let your frustration keep you from fishing. Jesus said, “‘Let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break” (Luke 5:4-6).

Continue to “fish” for people, simply because your Master says so. And as you do, Jesus will shine through you.