NOT A QUITTER

In Matthew 4:18-20, we read: “And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”

“Hurry, Grandfather. I want to get to the pond and get the best spot.” He tilted his head. "May we eat our catch for lunch?”

“Mighty sure of yourself,” Grandfather chuckled. “Okay. Hop in and let’s be on our way. I’ll bring our picnic basket just in case.”

“Why don’t the fish bite, Grandfather? We’ve sat here for hours. How long do we wait?”

“Take a deep breath. Enjoy yourself, Timmy. You can’t rush fish.”

Timmy put his pole down on the dock, leaned back on his hands, and took a deep breath.

“Hey, you’ve got a bite. Grab the pole, pull him in. Careful. Don’t lose him,” He pat Timmy on the back. “Good job.”

“I did it, Grandfather. I caught a fish.”

“You did, indeed. But how if you'd quit?”

“I’d missed out, huh?” Timmy frowned. “No fish and no fun.”

“You right. You know, one day the Lord Jesus saw two fisherman, brothers, in fact. He said for them  to follow Him and He’d make them fishers of men. They left their nets and followed Him.”

“Did He, Grandfather? Fish men out of the water?”

Grandfather lips quirked. "The Lord taught them what you’ve learned today, Timmy. To be patient and kind. You can’t rush the fish or someone you want to come to the Lord. Know what?”Timmy shook his head. “The waiting time can be used to show folks they’re loved, worth praying for.”

“We’re not quitters, are we?”

“No, son. A fisherman never quits. He keeps on fishing, no matter how long it takes.”

Kingdom Thinking. As I rush through life, with all its demands, I need to stop, take a deep breath. The Lord Jesus, the Big Fisherman, teaches me to be fishers of men. He promises to love me with an everlasting love and never leave nor forsake me. He’s not a quitter. Won’t you come?