9 Jul
Mighty-Morphin’ Soul-Savers
Growing up, I was fortunate enough to live in a cozy neighborhood with lots of kids, a nearby sledding hill, and a pond a few feet from my house. When I was in the first grade, I received my first fishing pole – a pink Power Rangers pole with an emblem of the pink Power Ranger. While I hated pink, I loved Power Rangers. Although I wasn’t able to watch the program very much, I found myself sneaking in Power Rangers episodes at my cousins’ house. Needless to say, I was super excited about fishing with the skill of a Power Ranger, even if she was pink.
I have heard that most children learn to fish using worms but I learned to fish with corn. That’s right – frozen corn did the trick. We caught bluegill by the dozen in our little pond with the Green Giant special – fresh from the freezer. Then we’d throw the fish back and catch them again. (So if ever you are having a bad bit of luck with the fish, try some frozen corn for a change.)
Somewhere along the lines, my Sunday School material began to correlate with my Saturday afternoon activities. We started learning about what it meant to be fishers of men. We also learned a catchy tune about Jesus making His disciples fishers of men. I confess I must have had a hard time imagining hooks in the mouths of all these men someone apparently caught for Christ. In fact, it was somewhat of a gruesome image, especially when I imagined someone like my granddaddy using pliers when the hook wouldn’t come out of their mouths. I was relieved when my overactive imagination was put to rest with the realization that being “fishers of men” was a figurative illustration of ministering to people and spreading the Gospel of Christ.
As I grew mentally and spiritually, I was able to see that becoming “fishers of men” is not so much a nice addition to the lives of some Christians, but the responsibility of all Christians. I am called to witness and minister to others and by “fishing for men” I am called to make a sincere effort to recruit and train people to live for Christ. However, sometimes I find myself getting so caught up on the responsibility/ritualistic aspect of Christianity that I forget the purpose of my endeavors is to glorify Christ! I should want to tell others about Christ because I am so excited about what He has done for me. He DIED and suffered so that I can be eternally free! He bought me and loves me and that is the point of my sharing with others.
Too often I catch myself keeping to myself and not ministering to those around me. I get caught up in my reality and daily tasks and fail to realize the power and priority of spiritual hope not only for me but for all those around me. Our God is big and great and mighty to save, and I must remember His glory as I go out and minister making others fishers of men.
Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men. Mark 1:17
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Filed in: Evangelism, Journey
About the Author
Sarah is a freshman at Belmont University where she is studying journalism and theater. She can be found snuggling up with a good book, discovering new music, riding in her car with the windows down (singing at the top of her lungs) and playing guitar on her front porch. She also enjoys writing music and lyrics. Her passions for traveling, ministry, and fighting social injustice foreshadow an exciting journalism career post-college. In the meantime, she hopes to go skydiving, take a stunt driving course, and go backpacking in the Rockies all while living a life that points others to her beautiful Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Sarah can be contacted via email at vagabond99@live.com.
