Happy Canada Day for our Canadian readers.

Jesus’ disciples knew how to fish. Some were even fishermen by trade. So when Jesus called them to become “fishers of men,” they understood his lingo. Discipleship includes seeking lost souls.

After my dad’s radical conversion to Christianity at the age of 65, he cast his fishing pole more than anyone I’ve ever known. He made his last 22 years count. He witnessed to everyone from his barber to his doctors to his cleaning lady.

When his old drinking buddies protested that they weren’t good enough to be saved, Dad would say, “Look at me” with the authenticity of one who had been in their shoes. And they listened.

Dad simply told people the truth about what God could do — every chance he got — even when he was on his deathbed.

Dad’s brother-in-law had been on his prayer list for years. A few days before Dad died, Bobby came to see him. As I went into Dad’s room, Bobby sat in a chair next to his bed, tears streaming down his face. But Dad was smiling. In his now weak, raspy voice he whispered, “This is the happiest day in my life. I got to talk to Bobby about his soul.”

If ever a man kept the focus of his call to the end, it was my dad. Although he came to the Lord late in life, he was a true disciple. He fished for lost souls until the day it was time to put down his pole.

Will you pick up your pole and cast it into the waters?

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the opportunity to tell others about your saving grace. Forgive us for all the times we miss. Please give us your heart for the lost and help us follow your lead as we listen and then respond with how wonderfully loving you are. Amen.

Go Deeper — Jesus knows where the fish are. You have the pole. Ask the Lord to lead you to someone today who needs to hear your salvation story.



Tags: Daily Devotional Matthew 4
Photo Credit: Char' Berry