3 Aug, 2011
_______ of Men
"Fishermen may not like to reveal their favorite holes, but they're happy to lure others to the sport--one reason 13-year-old Michael Lipinski of Roseville, Michigan, is delighted to give casting lessons to children with traumatic brain injuries.
'I love being outside and fighting the bass,' says Michael, who's been fishing since he was a toddler. A winner of several casting competitions, he was approached by a therapeutic recreation specialist at Children's Hospital of Michigan. She suggested that Michael demonstrate his skill to her patients.
After giving that first lesson in 2007, Michael was hooked. For his next birthday party, he asked his friends to give him rods, reels, hooks, and bobbers as presents, and he solicited more eqipment from local and national fishing clubs. Then he guided his charges on four fishing trips that summer, outings repeated each summer since as part of his Fishin' Mission program.
'Kids change after they fish,' says Michael. 'They might be quiet at first, but you can see the smile on their faces when they catch that first fish.'
The smiles come even on a bad day of fishing...'You know," muses Michael, 'you can really change someone's attitude in one day just by taking them fishing.'"
"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. And He said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him." - Matthew 4:18-22
Michael Lipinski learned at a young age that he not only loves fishing, but loves teaching people to fish!
Jesus doesn't call us to be fishers of men JUST to draw others to Him, but also so THEY might become fishers of men!
Jesus has given you passions to help you share His love with others, so that they might be changed and ALSO share His love with others!
Many times we see others being effective in sharing Jesus and so we try to do it their way. When it doesn't work, we get frustrated and want to give up. But GUESS WHAT?? Jesus didn't create you to share Him like anyone else!! He built you in a unique way to love others the way only YOU can!
SO, what gifts has Jesus given you? What passions?
How might He want to use those gifts to draw others to Him?
Now think of peers you know at school. Who might God be asking you to love? Write down their names. (They might share the same passions as you, but they may not! Either way, when they are loved by you in the way you best love, they will be impacted!)
(You can also click here to download and print a Wish List Card you can carry with you!)
Think of a way you can tangibly love each of these people THIS WEEK by using your gifts and passions! Write your ideas below.
Use what you love to follow Jesus and love others with all you've got...
What are you passionate about?
Because Jesus is coming to you and saying,
"Follow me, and I will make you a _________ of men!"
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