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Read Matthew 4:18-22
Jesus said to Simon and Andrew, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people."
-Matthew 4:19 (NRSV)
Toward the end of every winter, I become obsessed with preparing myself for the coming fishing season. As a fly fisherman, I manifest this obsession in a flurry of tying flies, the insect imitations used in fly-fishing. I find myself completely engrossed in the process of tying different flies to attract different types of fish for different situations. Some flies are bright and flashy, some more subdued. It struck me one day when I was studying the above passage of scripture that fishing for people requires the same passion and attention to detail as fishing for fish.
Different people require different "lures" to attract them to the gospel. Some people respond to intellectual appeals; others require more emotional approaches. If we are going to be successful in drawing people toward God, we must use different techniques with different people. Before I begin to tie any flies, I first study the fish that I am trying to attract and then devise a fly to match. With people, when I learn as much as I can about them through genuine relationships, I can be much more successful in attracting them to the gospel.
Dear God, continue to give us opportunities to build relationships with those who do not know you so that we can more effectively present your gospel of love and salvation to them. Amen.
Thought For The Day
Building genuine relationships creates opportunities to talk about Christ.
Joanne Kennedy (Virginia)
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