"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men"  (Mark 1:17).

      Some fish are hard to catch.   Others just need to be found, but it may be a challenge that takes an adventurous spirit.   Kristi’s nephew was telling us stories about a sport they are getting excited about, “hogging” for catfish.  I suppose it acquired that name because of the size of catfish they catch in muddy waters, “hogs.”  The fishermen find a hole where big catfish hang out, either for comfort or to guard a nest of eggs.  Once a big catfish is located (either by wading around with feet as the sensory locators or by swimming and probing with careful hands), a daring fisherman can stick a hand down the throat of the fish and let it clamp on, bringing the big creature to the surface.  Or, the brave “hogger” grabs the bottom lip and wrestles the big guy to the boat or to shore.   Either way, there is danger of bites, being barbed, or the mistake of latching on to a critter that may not be what you thought.  

      Why would people fish like that?  The excitement of an uncommon challenge?  The thrill of all the unknowns?  The adrenalin rush required to survive?    Because risk-taking adventure is what people are built for?   For the shared celebration of a good catch?

      You can’t take the analogy too far because people are infinitely more loved and beautiful than catfish, but fishing for people can lead to celebrated opportunities in helping our friends escape from the muddy holes they are trapped in.   We all know people who think they are ok and comfortable,  but they seem stuck in the mud of life.  Other friends may be spending all their time and energy in the murky, empty endeavors of protecting nest eggs.   Fishing for people means helping those around us to find fulfillment and purpose in the fresh and living waters of a relationship with Christ.  Only Jesus can take us into deeper places of hope and joy, and following Him includes the invitation to be a fisherman, fishing for people in need of the abundant life He alone can bring.   That kind of fishing leads to heavenly celebration, and it is well worth every effort no matter how muddy we get.    Helping people find the delight of swiming in the ocean of God’s grace is a high honor.