The Call

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We had been fishing all night, James, John and myself. The dawn had found us tired and without a single fish to show for our efforts. Never before had this happened to us and I was more than concerned that James and Johns father Zebedee would never believe that we hadn’t spent the night goofing off. I had just begun pulling the nets from the boats spreading them over a large rock to allow them to dry in the morning sun.

John and I were discussing why we had not netted a single fish all night, when we noticed a local man we had seen in town walking the edge of the water. He was being followed by a small crowd of people that were listening to everything he was saying. Some of the people were asking questions and some, whom we knew as teachers were whispering to one another and shaking their heads in disgust. I was surprised to see the man stop next to one of our boats and climb in. He then motioned for me to push the boat back into the water. I turned and smiled at John to see what he was thinking and then we both ran and pushed the boat into the water and then I jumped in. “Take us out a little ways.” The man said. I began to row the small fishing boat from shore and pushed the nets off of the seat so we could both sit.

I was not sure what to think as the man began to teach the crowd that stood listening at the water’s edge. He spoke to the people as no one I had ever heard. He spoke of love and forgiveness and God's love for all of us. He spoke as if anyone could live in this love and not just the wealthy or the gifted. After he had completed his talk he turned around in the seat and faced me. “Simon, move out into the deep so you can catch some fish,” He said.

I began to row out to the deeper part of the lake. I had been so transfixed on the message that I hadn’t even noticed that a couple other fishermen had climbed in the boat with me. As I was rowing I told the teacher that we had just fished all night and caught nothing, but we will do as he said anyway. Honestly, I was thinking how he had just taught on love and I didn’t want everyone to see me acting rudely to this guy as if I had paid no attention to his talk.

I noticed James and John quickly pushing a boat back into the water to join us as we let the nets fall over the side of our boat. I winked at one of the other fishermen and shrugged my shoulders to show him that this was not my idea. Everyone knows that fish feed at night and become lazy and don’t move in the light of day. We had not even allowed the nets to soak and I’m not sure the weights on the net had reached the bottom of the lake yet, when I felt the familiar tug on the nets and began to pull the nets back into the boat.

How could this be? I yelled. I felt the net stretch as my muscles reached their limits. My fingers ached as the net tried to pull from my grasp. The teacher began to laugh and clap his hands as he heard the excitement in my voice. I called to James and John to hurry and bring their boat next to ours.

When the net had finally been emptied both boats were nearly sinking with the weight of the catch. We rowed our way back to shore where the people were calling for everyone to come and see the miracle catch that the teacher had performed.
I looked toward the teacher and I noticed a slight grin on his face. He was neither surprised or impressed. He seemed to look inside me with eyes that somehow looked familiar. I stumbled from the boat and fell to his knees. “I am a sinful man you should leave this place.” I said covering my face. “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” He said to James, John and I. It was from that day forward that we stayed with him.

Wherever he went we were part of the crowd listening and discussing the new and strange things that he taught. Many people felt he had blessed us with this huge catch to show us we were supposed to continue fishing. But we had lost our love for fishing and traded our boats and nets for the opportunity to follow this teacher.

To learn of a love with no agenda or strings attached is truly something that is not understood by everyone. I am so fortunate to be able read the writings of the Apostles and their transformations. I can’t help but wonder who around me is the next Peter, James or John? What must I do to know Him, the Master better?

Sometimes I ache with desire to be in His presence and allow Him full access to this broken man that I am. “Come Lord, use me as you see fit. Forgive me for my disobedience and stubbornness.” If you can find a way to use me, please use me.”
This has become my prayer. Search yourself and see if repentance is necessary in your life.

Remember to always ride the narrow road and stop in and see us again.

Your riding companion, Larry (Skeeter)