Fishing for People

Each Wednesday I post my article from "Winning Ways," an e-newsletter that goes out to over 750 subscribers. If you want to subscribe to "Winning Ways," sign up here.

Warren Whitaker admits it's the most unusual way he's ever used to land a fish, but it worked.

While competing in the Texas Outdoor Adventure Series Big Bass Championship a few years ago, Whitaker latched on to a bass he knew would be a winner. He also knew it would be a problem. The big bass had wrapped Whitaker's 20-pound test line on a submerged tree.

Not wanting to lose his prize, Whitaker jumped in after the fish. At first, the fisherman kept his head above the water while he freed the fishing with his toes. But the bass had wrapped itself around the tree much lower. So, removing his life vest, Whitaker took a deep breath and dived down nearly 17 feet. Opening his eyes in the murky water, he saw the exhausted fish's tail and reached out and grabbed it. He pulled the big bass to him and held it against his body as he returned to the surface. Altogether, Whitaker had been in the water thirty minutes.

Back at the weigh-in, Whitaker's bass weighed 12.7 pounds, the biggest fish of the three-day event. For his labor, the fisherman took home a total prize of $18,300 in cash and merchandise.

I wonder if we have Whitaker's passion when it comes to catching people for Jesus. The Bible says that Jesus passed by Simon Peter and some other fishermen one day and said, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” This Super Bowl Sunday, February 4, we’ll focus on that call at Hillcrest. It’s the next story in our weekly study of Matthew’s Gospel. I think it’s interesting that when Christ began his ministry the first thing he did was look for partners for that work.

Join us at Hillcrest (9:30am or 10:45am) if you're in the Austin area, or listen to the sermon podcast (iTunes; website) posted Monday.

Warren Whitaker has raised the definition of what a real fisherman is willing to do. When it comes to fishing for people, do we measure up to his example?