Fishers of Men

Not catching with hook and a spindle,
Nor netting with taught, woven twine.
But lighting a fire to kindle,
Deep love that will bring life divine.

Not sitting in boats with a rod bent,
By carp, or big muskie, or pike.
But speaking the truth that is God sent,
Souls moving from darkness to light.

Do you seek a catch for the Master,
A harvest that clearly you’ll win?
Can you launch out deeper and faster,
To bring the lost out of their sin?

Then offer them Christ as their Savior,
Not worldly ambition or fame.
‘Tis more than just changing behavior,
But wholeness that comes with his name.

Seek for the uncertain and wandering,
Now show them how they can begin,
To wash with a heavenly laundering,
Your mission: a fisher of men.

Jesus chose twelve from the mountain,
Spending a night deep in prayer.
His life was a spiritual fountain.
His heart ever wrapped in God’s care.

They lived with him as his disciples,
He taught them in village and glen.
He showed them a heavenly lifestyle,
That God was their Father and Friend.

He saw once two sets of strong brothers,
When walking by blue Galilee.
Simon, Andrew, James, John and some others,
To bring forth a catch from the sea.

He told them where nets would find so great,
A catch they could not comprehend.
They did what he said, then lay prostrate,
In wonder that never would end.

He took them rough, unschooled, from labor
Fishing along water’s edge.
He taught them deep love for their neighbor,
To see how God keeps every pledge.

They followed him faithfully toward,
His sacrifice there on the tree.
He kept their sights steadfast and forward,
And said that he soon had to leave.

Heartbroken, they knew not the meaning,
Of his words, or saw his grand vision.
But then on his promises leaning,
Heard Mary announce “He is risen!”

They awaited the Father’s grand promise,
And with holy spirit were filled.
They branched out through all of Judea,
From Jerusalem where he was killed.

The same Simon Peter and Andrew,
Thundering Jacob and John.
Had put aside nets, the life they knew,
To go where no others had gone.

And that’s not the end of the story,
For you too can join them, my friend.
Speak boldly in love to God’s glory,
Go forth and be fishers of men!