When I was young I spent a lot of time fishing. I had two tackle boxes – one for spinner baits and rooster tails and one for crankbaits and worms. I enjoyed collecting lures and organizing those lures almost as much as I enjoyed actually fishing. I loved to think about what lures I would use at certain fishing holes, what time of day I would go and what other gear might be needed. I watched hours of fishing shows and read BASSMASTER magazine. I learned to pay close attention to things like high- and low-pressure fronts and the barometric pressure. Failure was not an option. In my college years I stopped fishing and have never truly returned to the sport, however, God has called me to an entirely new kind of fishing, one that requires the same amounts of passion and planning.
Matthew 4:18-19 – 18 Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Several years ago I went on a mission trip to Honduras and while I was on that trip God placed a burden upon my heart to not only come back the following year but to bring my best friend with me when I returned. My best friend has ever been a city boy and a lover of the comforts of civilization. I knew that it was going to be a hard sell, but I was obedient to my conviction and went to work immediately upon my return home to convince him to go to Honduras with me. You see, he’s a soccer coach and soccer is HUGE in Honduras. To bring him with us would be like buying a fishing lure guaranteed to attract fish, only this time, we would be fishing for men. After many days of attempting to set the hook, God finally caught him and he has ran a soccer clinic for the village children in the jungle communities of Honduras every year since. These clinics have been a golden opportunity to plant seeds of faith in these children.
It’s truly amazing how God works. God is the great fisherman. We are his lures. In the case of my friend, God used one lure at His disposal to catch another lure so that His work could be accomplished. Praise God that He uses imperfect people to accomplish His perfect will. God bless you all!
Wes LeFlore – (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
