Brothers at our Side

I enjoy the occasional fishing trip with my brothers. I have four older brothers and while they often fish with each other I am usually too far away to go with them. The times I have gone with them have been memorable. We all learned to fish with our dad who was an avid fisherman.

On one occasion four of us were fishing side by side in an icy stream trying to catch trout that had just been released upstream. There were many other fishermen there that day looking for the right spot and best lure to catch fish. If the lure we had on did not work we would step back away from the stream and tie on a different one.

My oldest brother, Charley, was fishing in between Ross and Jerry, and I was just downstream from them. Mike had found a place off to himself. Charley stepped back to try a different lure when a stranger walked up and started casting from Charley’s spot.

“Hello,” Charley said.

“Just trying to get closer to the water,” answered the stranger.

“I can help you get closer to the water,” replied Charley, as he stood up and stepped toward the stranger.

The stranger, with a startled look, did not answer, but picked up his tackle and walked away. I am sure he did not have a clue that the men standing on either side of him were all brothers. We stood there acting almost disinterested during the whole incident, but fully aware of what was going on.

Charley looked at Ross and Jerry and asked, “Why didn’t you say something?

They both started laughing and one of them said, “We were just waiting to see what you were going to do. Looks like you didn’t need our help.”

Sometimes we look at the stream in front of us. It may be the street that connects our house to others or the hallway that connects us at work. We know that Jesus calls us to be fishers of men. He wants us to tell the other people around us about him and invite them to come with us to hear his good news. So what is stopping us? Are we afraid? Do we feel alone in this stream?

There are brothers on either side of us too. Jesus promised we would never be alone. Psalm 34:7 says, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.” This is one of my favorite promises. No matter where I am he does not just show up when I need him. He camps around me all the time.

When I stand at the stream to fish for people I am surrounded by brothers on either side. There are other fisherman, Christian brothers and sisters, and God’s presence always there to encourage me.

Do not be afraid. Invite those around you to hear the good news.

Brother Robin