The Fisherman

by Larry Huntsperger

This is as it should be, because it served God’s purposes to place me in this role.

Jesus never demanded entrance into a person’s life, but neither did he negotiate the terms of his entrance with those who chose to invite him. He did not want my endorsement. He did not want my approval. He wanted my life. He wanted me to choose to give him the right to take control.

He turned his attention first to those with physical needs. For those who hurt, entrance into the kingdom so often begins at the point of their pain. He healed and restored each sick and disabled person in the group.

We shared in his goodness not simply because we happened to be in the right place at the right time but because he loved us and willingly assumed responsibility for our needs. I knew now why it had been so hard for me to ask for his

help. I was afraid—afraid he didn’t know, or afraid he didn’t care. Neither was true. The truth

was he was simply waiting for...

He stepped into the center of our world. Through his words and his actions he enabled everyone to see exactly who he was and what he was like. Then he allowed us to decide for ourselves what we would do about it.

There were thousands and thousands who wanted what he could give. There were not many who wanted him. But something amazing took place in our lives when we reached that point. I can describe it only by saying he gave us himself.

Jesus did not attempt to bring us to a point of competency in knowledge or techniques or programs. He simply sought to draw us into a depth of friendship with himself, a friendship that would ultimately become the driving motivation in every aspect of our lives.

In the end our ability to see Jesus correctly is never a matter of gaining sufficient evidence. The evidence is overwhelming. He has told us who he is with every action, with every miracle, with every word he spoke. But the only voice that has the power to confirm that identity must come ultimately from within ourselves.

We thought we needed what he could give. What we really needed was him. We thought God could provide the things that would fill our spirits and make our lives worth living. We could not see the truth. The only thing that could ever truly fill our spirits and make our lives worth living was God himself.

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

He simply wanted to love them, to touch their lives, to meet their needs. Jesus fed their spirits and gave them hope.

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”

When my Lord called me to himself, he took nothing from me but emptiness and in return gave me purpose, and fulfillment, and life.

Jesus wanted me to know that no man ever has either the right or the ability to understand God’s dealings with anyone but himself.

He provides each of us with the faith we need for just one calling in life—the calling he has given to us alone.

Through the gift of his Spirit, I would continue to live in the reality of his constant presence with me.

through his Holy Spirit, I live in the living reality of his presence every second of every hour of every day of my life.

Each true child of God lives in the reality of the presence of Christ in exactly the same way as I do. And each of us shares his same simple calling to “Follow me!” He will not lead you where he has led me, but he will lead you just the same, in the path that fits perfectly with his life within you and his purposes for you.

The grace and love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you always. To him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.