We all know Jesus had a special place in his heart for fishermen as he walked the shores of Galilee and called a few to leave their nets to follow him. Fishermen don’t mind getting up early in the morning or working late into the night if there are fish to be caught. Fishermen deal with the hazards of weather and the heartbreak of loss. They know they must persevere to be successful, and they know there is always something to learn.
Taylor and I spent the weekend with some professional fishermen in Tyler, Texas. As hurricane Rita roared up the Louisiana – Texas line, forty five teenage boys listened to the masters teach some of the things they have learned about fishing, life, and the true Master. These guys even got to go out on the water with three different pros to witness firsthand how they located fish and caught them. As Taylor absorbed every moment, he realized how much he doesn’t know.
Tomorrow Taylor leaves for discipleship training in Hawaii to be followed by an outreach to Asia. During the five months he will be gone, it won’t surprise me if Taylor finds places to fish in other parts of the world, but he’ll also meet some different fishermen in Youth With A Mission. These men and women have heard the call Jesus gave Peter, Andrew, James, and John and are going into all world to serve mankind and share about the Savior that came from Heaven to rescue us from sin. They don’t mind getting up early in the morning and working late into the night if there are souls to be saved. I met a few of these missionaries in Jerusalem who had experienced the types of hazards that stretch our faith. Two ladies experienced the loss of friends as five fellow Christian workers were killed for following Jesus. But for some reason these disciples know they must persevere. They also know they must listen carefully to the Master for there is always something to learn.
Susan and I love our son and we are sure going to miss him. I’m going to miss fishing with him and hearing the funny stories he has to tell. (One day he needs to write a book entitled “Glory and Gloom on the Water” 
) But just as several Christian men told him this past weekend, Jesus is calling us to a purpose far beyond ourselves. He’s put something in each of us that will bless His Kingdom as we follow the greatest Fisherman that has ever lived. Sometimes His ways might sound strange to us, but if we remember He created all things and knows all things, we will know He can be trusted. So, Taylor, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
“When he finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’ For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now own you will catch men.’ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” Luke 5:4-11