While my wife and I waited at a stop light the other day, an old pickup truck creaked up next to us. I noticed the bed was filled with a hodgepodge of items.
The most curious piece of cargo was a single fishing pole–leaning over the passenger side, just behind the cab. My eyes fixated on a gleamy three-pronged hook, as a few feet of fishing line floated over the street in the breeze. It was al-LURE-ing.🥸
“He isn’t gonna catch much,” I joked. The light turned green and the truck took off. “Now he’s trolling,” I said to my wife. “That should increase his odds.”
The fascinating sight of a guy “air fishing” (unknowingly, I assume) brought to mind the time when Jesus met two men who were fishing for REAL. Simon and his brother Andrew were casting their nets at the seaside when Jesus walked up and said, “Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people.” – Matthew 4:19 (NIV)
“What are you fishing for?” This was the Holy Spirit’s question of the day–after I encountered the asphalt angler. In other words, what do people see when they metaphorically pull up next to my life at a stop light?
Jesus is primarily visible through the lives of those who abide in Him. Otherwise, the world sees an empty hook. Fish will sometimes bite a shining empty three prong (please chime in, Gary Fultz), but they’ve got to be pretty hungry!
🎶”Will they see God for who He really is… in what they see in you and me?”🎶 These are the opening words to the chorus of a popular contemporary Christian song from the late 1980’s.
I once saw a young Christian woman who was super-irritated with the cashier at a local hardware store. Apparently the clerk counted her change back incorrectly. Loud enough for anyone in the store to hear, the sullen customer said, “Are you an idiot?!” I looked over, and that’s when I saw her tee-shirt; it said, “Jesus Saves and Heals.” #stinkbait
So what bait should we use to catch people like Jesus did? In this case, the lure is a healing one. It’s Christ Himself!
“But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.”
Jesus – John 12:32 (NIV)
Ready to wet a divine line?
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
46 responses to “Fishing for Souls”
Thanks, CG! By God’s grace I will keep writing. You do the same!
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You are a gifted story teller. You have a knack for translating everyday occurrences into thoughtful messages that nurture our faith. Keep on writing.
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Thank you for stopping by, SimplyB. I am delighted you enjoyed my post! I appreciate both your interest and interaction. Blessings!
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I really appreciated this post. So good. Happy to have found your blog, looks like great encouragement. Looking forward to reading more!
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I am used to writing some super short micro-poems on Twitter as well, I hide out there from time to time. Happy to follow your wise words here, I enjoy Christian blogs! 😊
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Thanks, Tricia! I appreciate your perspective. Come to think of it, following Jesus IS an inside job. It starts that way, at least.
Thank you for following my little life story niche blog! I’m blown away by how much you packed into under 150 words in your most recent post. Plus, you included the quote. Impressive writing!
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A great reminder to love through actions! Jesus is a great friend to go fishing with, inside our hearts and not just on our t-shirt! 💯
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Thank you for your insights! Blessings.
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It’s a sobering thought to think that our lives could be empty hooks. Hooks that reveal nothing of the nature of Christ, or the Kingdom of God.
The example of the girl at the checkout made me think that – even worse than this – we could have a dead, foul-smelling fish hanging from our hooks. We could have attitudes and reactions which make people turn away from a faith in God. An important and challenging post.
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Thank you for frankly sharing your thoughts. It’s a daily struggle to hold on to faith, hope and love in this world. Thankfully, as you said, we can have a direct relationship with God Himself. Jesus modeled how to do this, and sacrificed His life so that we could do so as well. Blessings!
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The best bait are Kindness and Generosity, that is if I’m to fish people. Inspiring post my friend. Love the story and truly make us reflect on our actions. Are they reflecting God’s love and teaching or the opposite. I’ve seen so many like the Customer that was mean to the cashier. There are People who goes to church, appearing so religious but treats people badly like shouting and screaming to their helpers and workers. I’ve seen my brother law throw an outburst with my sister over flan and literally stop and shook my farewell party. He then left and went to his prayer group. I was in shock. Experience like this sometimes make me move away from the physical Church, because God’s teachings seems opposite to what people are doing. Like the Pharisees in the Bible. So I try to just make a direct relationship which to be honest, I also fail sometimes. I will try harder however. Hope comes alive though when I witness people truly making out of their way effort to show they care without expecting anything in return.
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Thanks for “wetting a line” and offering your thoughts, Gary! I hope your family members are better soon. Blessings!
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Sorry to respond so late. I’ve been off grid with 2 family in hospitals.
Love it David, you have some great lines (It was al-LURE-ing.).
I hate it (literally) when people, who want to appear that they represent Jesus, stink-bait the world around them.
I once brought a message on “Fishing for men” to a men’s group behind a couple of tables full of my fishing tackle, more than a few rods and reels all rigged for different kinds of fishing with all 11 tackle box’s. . That would make a great Blog with pictures. The problem for me is that it would be book length..
I lost all my line “air trolling” more than once.
I’m saving this post as it’s a “keeper”
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Actions speak louder than words. Thank you for contributing to the discussion–in true Betty Chambers fashion! What we DO reveals what we TRULY believe. Thank you for the reminder that “talk” is much cheaper than “walk.” I am always grateful for your perspective! Blessings.
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David, in my book, the example of how we live speaks volumes. I believe the example we set can do far more than all the talking we could ever do. People watch us, whether we realize it or not.
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The best bait is Christ Himself, of course! Blessings, brother!
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I just love the fishing analogy for evangelism, it must be one of the most accurate analogies. You presented it beautifully David. It reminded me of the evangelism training material by Ray Comfort. God bless you brother
P.S. what makes the best bait I wonder?
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That’s what I thought too, Bruce. Gary must be out on a lake somewhere. Thanks for stopping by. Blessings!
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Good points David. I thought for sure you’d have input from Gary but he could be out there fishing! Blessings!
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See, we ARE on the same page!
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It’s ok. I couldn’t resist asking the same kind of question about one of your recent posts. I think I asked if the neighbors left any cash behind. Blessings!
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Sorry, I just couldn’t resist!
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My first office is in my home and on snow days I tell people I can’t get to the office because of the snow. 🙂 ;lol
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Especially when your “2nd office” is a coffee shop and lots of folks are listening! Your honey or garbage analogy is a good one. What are we putting out there? Thanks, Matt! God Bless.
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Every interaction it is so important to remember we represent Jesus and our actions can be like honey to draw people to Jesus or like garbage and drive them away.
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We are Christs ambassadors. That should always be front and center in our minds every day.
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You always get me thinking!
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Thanks, Jeff. We are always angling for Jesus. That’s a good thought! I always appreciate your input. Blessings!
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Asphalt Angler – Hilarious!! What a great contemplation today! How is my life “angling?” Am I asphalt angling? Am I in a good water? Am I aware that I’m always angling for Jesus – even when I’m not thinking about it? Like that girl with the T-shirt. Really good thoughts today, David!
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You’re welcome! Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate your kind words. Happy fishing!
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I really needed to hear this today. I’m desiring to actually have fish to offer people again. Thank you David sharing your stories and thoughts. I enjoy reading them.
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I agree, Sally. Nobody’s perfect, but if we belong to Christ there should be reason s to believe it is true. Thank you for sharing!
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You’re welcome, Manu! Thank you for reading and commenting. Blessings!
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Oh no! A troll is something totally different than a trolling fisherman. Thanks for stopping by!
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The question made me pause, as well, Bridget. It wasn’t an audible voice, but I heard it in my head none the less. It was a sobering thought that made me think twice about the “bait” I am showing the world. Thank you for your thoughts. Blessings!
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What are you fishing for? Reading this I had to reflect on what I fish for. Is it for compliments, seeming intelligent or is my focus on ensuring that I represent Jesus each and every time.
Thank you David for sharing this.
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😃
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So if I am air fishing using a trolling hook, does that make me a troll?
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“What are you fishing for?” That made me pause. Such a good question. And the lady in the store – so very sad. Unfortunately, it is people like that who give Christians a bad rap, and turn others away from the church. I pray we can catch people by portraying the unfailing love of Jesus. Thanks for the encouraging word!
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I’d say the rude lady with the t-shirt was giving a ‘bad witness’.
Our lives as Christians need to be consistent. 🤗⚘
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Agreed, Barb. We all have something that potentially keeps us from being the best fishermen for Jesus. I pray, along with you, that people will see God for who He really is—in what they see you and me. Have a blessed Saturday!
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Of course it’s ok to share your random pondering, Amanda! I know what you mean about vultures. The way they stare at you is creepy. 👀
Thanks for stopping by! Blessings!
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Your imagery of “air fishing ” & the Jesus shirt. What contrasts. I pray that my life is more about fishing & less about my temper!
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Love this, especially the trolling imagery!
Here’s something fishy: we just launched our boat from a new spot and personally if it were up to me we would have left immediately as there are vultures EVERYWHERE!!!! A car was literally unable to move because 5 nasty huge vultures were blocking/guarding the road. I may write a post on this experience because God is reminding me that where the corpses are vultures gather (Matt 24:28) and we have societal vultures hovering to eat the dead. As we know anyone who isn’t in Christ is dead in their trespasses and sin. So while I hate nasty, vile vultures, I am reminded that I am to keep on fishing!!! (Hope it’s ok to share my random pondering!)
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“Nothing fishy about it.” 😂 Thanks, Ken!
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Thanks for this post – sound stuff – nothing ‘fishy’ about it. 👍🙂
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