One of the worst parts of fishing is cleaning your catch. It’s a messy, stinky, dirty job that requires a strong stomach, but someone has to do it. In my family, that someone is usually—well actually always—me.
I’ll never forget the time my wife and I had a successful deep-sea fishing day. It was one of those trips where everything clicked. Fish after fish struck our bait. By the end of the day, our arms ached from fighting and landing dozens of keepers. I was in a fisherman’s paradise—until it came time to clean our catch. Back at the dock, the fun was over and the “reel” work began. Early in His ministry, Jesus invited a few commercial fishermen to trade in their nets, follow Him, and learn how to “fish for people” (Matthew 4:18-22). Most of us aren’t anglers by trade. Still, His call to share the good news with others is our mission as well.
As an avid angler, I know that one of the best things Jesus has taught me about the job of fishing for people is that I don’t have to “clean” my catch. God handles the job of cleaning (1 John 1:9). Yes, I may be called to play the role of encourager or confronter or mentor. At times, I’ve had to mercifully say hard things to those who were young in the faith—speaking the truth in love. But it’s never my job to force anyone to change. Transformation is God’s business.
We sometimes have the firsthand privilege of seeing someone place his or her faith in Christ. But it’s liberating to realize that we don’t bear the responsibility to “clean” them up. Letting go of that burden frees us to help others become the people they were called to be—more like Jesus (Romans 8:29).
More:
Luke 5:1-1
Next:
What has Jesus taught you about fishing for people? What “cleaning” does God do in people who receive salvation? How do we help people grow in purity and holiness?
bethanyF on March 7, 2010 at 9:56 am
God is good. I pray that I can help someone today.
fieldlily on March 7, 2010 at 11:32 am
God is good! That is what is so great about being fishers of men, God not only “cleans the catch” but He supplies and baits the line as well. As long as you are willing He will use you. We all have a sphere of influence that we witness to daily. Our friends and family, people we work with or meet on the street or even in a grocery store or on the road in a car. The affect you have on others just by your attitude or responses to every day situations is part of your witness. It isn’t always a planned thing, it is part of who you are and how you show the Lord has changed you and is still changing you. We are, none of us completely finished until the Lord takes us home (Philippians 3:12-14). Being humbly aware of this helps us not to develop an holier than thou attitude when we do share all the Lord has done for us. I make mistakes daily and need nudges from my family about my attitudes and am thankful that they care enough and God cares enough to let me know when I am not where I need to be.
I need a daily reminder to see what kind of bait I am using. :<)
makks on April 6, 2010 at 3:15 pm
I often wonder how long it takes to get cleaned out
i struggle with it every day….some people say it
its a miracle…..people just flip over and change ….is
this true?
clrisa on May 21, 2010 at 2:04 am
Hi. Sorry, I don’t really understand what is meant by “cleaning the catch”…
And recently, one of my friends accepted Christ after I shared with her, and after she accepted Christ, I feel like I’m not doing anything to help… Like the relationship between us feels strained, and it’s really hard to communicate now, and I don’t know how to share Christ more with her. What should I do? Any suggestions?><
jeff olson on May 21, 2010 at 9:01 am
clrisa,
the analogy of “cleaning our catch” is meant to say that it is not our role to convict or correct sin in the lives of those who come to Christ…that isthe Holy Spirit’s role…that doesn’t mean we don’t share truth or concerns along the way…there are times where God calls us to have difficult conversations with a fellow Christian, but it is never our place to force a response…hope that clarifies.
It’s hard to know what’s going on with your friend who recently accepted Jesus…don’t pull away and don’t push too hard…just keep extending the hand of friendship…maybe ask her how she’s doing and if there is anything you can be praying for her.