"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
~Matt 4:19~

      Middletown and many other areas were hit hard by the flooding the past few days.   Kristi and I ventured out for a walk, and we were burdened by the scene of houses overwhelmed by the nasty, troubling waters.   Streets were closed and rescues by boat were taking place.   

      One man’s composure will be forever sealed in my memory banks.  I only saw him for a moment as his boat was going around a corner, but I was amazed.  He was fishing.   You might call that making the best of a bad situation.   Perhaps it was silly, possibly foolish, or just maybe there was something mysteriously profound in the picture of connecting operation rescue with fishing on the way.

      Matthew chapter four begins with the temptation of Jesus, His time of battle with the enemy in the wilderness.  As He came out of rough country, He began preaching the message of repentance, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matt. 4:17).  One way to contextualize that message in a flood might be, “Get into the boat.”  Jesus is the ark of safety.

      Then Jesus invited the disciples to follow, to become fishers of men (Matt. 4:19).  Jesus came out of the desert trials, called people to be saved from the darkness, and invited His followers to fish for people.

      You are either in the wilderness, coming out of one, or headed toward one. That is life.    Maybe the greatest strategy for making the best of tough situations is to go fishing…..for people.     

      On our walk we noticed lots of people seeking to encourage each other in the midst of the flooding trials.   I’m thankful for people who resist being self-consumed by troubles and lend a hand to others who are in need of help.  Putting others first is a healing, fulfilling path.  Being an instrument of rescue is something wonderful.    Opportunities are around us every day in a world flooded with troubles.  Reaching out is connected with following Jesus.  Bless you, fellow follower and fisherman.

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