Catch of the Day

Bible Reading: Matthew 4:18–22

Laney helped her dad get the fishing gear together and put it in the car. “All set, Dad! Let’s go!” She was excited about her first fishing trip with her father.

As they traveled to the lake, Laney told Dad about a conversation she’d recently had with a friend. “I finally got up the nerve to talk to Nadia about Jesus, but it didn’t seem to do any good. I asked her if she wanted to trust in Him, and she said no.”

“Well,” Dad replied, “maybe you’ll learn something today about witnessing. Fishing and witnessing are a lot alike.” Laney frowned but didn’t ask Dad what he meant.

At the lake, Dad showed Laney how to bait her hook. “Good,” he said. “Now throw out the line and then sit back and wait.”

Laney did as she was told, but soon she became restless. “How long do I have to wait?” she asked.

Dad shot her a pleasant smile. “Until you get a bite.”

Laney frowned. “I didn’t know it would take so long to catch a fish.”

“Sometimes it does,” her dad replied. “The fish don’t just jump into the boat. You do everything you can to get them to bite. You bait the hook, and then you wait patiently—sometimes for a long time. When and if you get a bite, you finally get to pull in the line, and hopefully, you’ll catch the fish.” Dad smiled. “I told you that witnessing and fishing were a lot alike. Now do you see why?”

“Well, to catch fish, we bait the hook and wait patiently,” Laney said. “I’ve been friends with Nadia for a while now and have talked with her about Jesus, but maybe there’s something more I can do to get her interested. Like . . . I could invite her to Vacation Bible School this summer. I think she’d like it. And then I guess I need to have patience.”

“That’s right,” said Dad. “While you wait, keep being a friend to Nadia, and ask Jesus to change her heart. Maybe He will let you pull in the line someday.” He smiled. “Now wouldn’t that be the catch of the day?” •Ruth I. Jay

How About You?

Have you witnessed to someone by telling them about Jesus? Were you disappointed because they didn’t trust in Him right away? Sometimes bringing someone to Jesus takes a lot of patience, persistence, and prayer. Keep being a friend to that person and praying for them, and do what you can to show them the joy that comes from knowing Jesus. Keep witnessing and waiting for God to work.

Today’s Key Verse:
Matthew 4:19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

Witness patiently