This sounds so inviting, doesn't it? It also sounds very easy. The formula is simple: Follow Jesus, then you'll have instant success! But that's so wrong on so many levels.
Listen, if there is one thing I know for certain after many years of fishing for both fish and men it's this: Fishing can be discouraging.
The excitement always builds as you prepare for and anticipate your event. The normal thing to do is to go down your check list before heading out. Is all your gear loaded? Check. Is the weather outside nice? Check. Are the fish biting? Check. Is the choice spot open? Check. Great, now all you have to do is bait and wait!
Check This: It hardly ever goes according to your plans. As a matter of fact, more often than not, you'd wish you had gone skunk hunting instead.
I remember hearing a funny story from a popular Evangelist once. He tells of an event that his church put on annually in Mexico. This one year however went very different. After all the prayer and preparation, and the thousands of dollars invested for the salvation of souls, when it came time for the alter call, a single dog came forward!
Jesus' statement does not promise success in the sense of seeing multitudes of people becoming regenerated every time we give an invitation. Even the gifted struggle and labor on many occasions for the single soul. It is the work of the Father that brings a person to Christ.
"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him. (John 6:44)
That being said, it's hard for everyone. While it may come a little easier to those called with the gift of evangelism, it is still painstakingly difficult and laborious. The trials and temptations are equal to the calling.
Bottom-line: Fishing can be discouraging, and it often takes a lot of sweat and tears, and sometimes, blood and guts.
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