Whilst walking into Bedford along the river, I spotted this chap fishing for his lunch. He was walking amongst the shallows on the weir, trying to spot a fish for food. At times he would stand still, keeping his sharp eyesight fixed on the waters below so that the fish would be deceived and swim up close; and when they do swim up close, he can dive in with his bill to catch his meal. The heron is an expert at fishing as are a number of our native birds like the kingfisher.
When Jesus chose his first disciples – and some of them were fishermen – he told them that he would teach them to fish for people: to attract them into his kingdom. That might seem a strange thing to say, but Jesus always spoke in a way that people could understand and in a context to which they were accustomed; he used the everyday things of life to put his point across to make it simple to those who were listening to him speak.
Sometimes, it is the simple things of life that can make a difference, and the beginning of a life of faith can start by simply believing in Jesus and acknowledging him as Lord and Saviour – it really is as simple as that. It is from that foundation that a faith can grow and be nurtured into something that is truly amazing and fulfilling. And who knows, it may be you who is learning to be someone who fishes for others to join the Kingdom of God. The heron has great eyesight and a focus that is not swayed by anything happening around. As disciples of Jesus, our eyesight and focus should be to follow Jesus and his ways; to keep our focus and sharpness of eye.
I wish you God’s love and peace
Revd Graham
