Fishers of Children
- Cathrine Schmelzer
- Jun 18, 2024
- 3 min read
“Just like when Jesus called Peter, I stepped out of my metaphorical boat and said yes to my calling.”
“‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him” Matthew 4:19-20
It blows my mind what God can do with people, using just a little faith. People who have made mistakes in the past, but are willing to say yes to God.
A childless, elderly man becomes the father of all nations.
A man who felt inadequate, and doubted, led a whole nation out of slavery.
An orphaned girl pleads with a king to save her people.
The smallest brother stops a giant army and also becomes the next king of Israel.
A fisherman, who denied Jesus 3 times, becomes a key player in the beginnings of Christ’s Church.
Jesus could have called anyone He wanted to follow Him. Someone wealthy, with a lot of influence. Someone who followed all the laws perfectly. But the first two disciples He called were fisherman, and imperfect people. Jesus knew, even when He called Peter to follow Him, that Peter would deny Jesus in the darkest of moments. Peter loved Jesus, and was quick to get out of that boat, that’s clear from scripture. But he made mistakes along his path of following Jesus, and Jesus used him anyway.
I can somewhat see myself in his story. Just as Peter didn’t seem qualified to “fish for men”, I started out unqualified and unequipped to be a mother. But when Jesus calls you to something, you go. Just like when Jesus called Peter, I stepped out of my metaphorical boat and said yes to my calling. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, and I’ll continue making them. But Jesus continues to use me anyway. He doesn’t need someone already qualified. He uses me, and used Peter, for an entirely different reason.
Jesus uses faith and obedience to fulfill our callings and grow the kingdom of God.
Jesus calls mothers (and dads too!), just like He called those first disciples for a purpose. He makes moms into “fishers of little men and women”. There is a whole new generation of future disciples that need to be led. Moms don’t need prior knowledge. They don’t need to be any sort of parenting expert. Moms need faith, and moms need to be obedient to God’s commands.
Mom, through Him, you are qualified and equipped for your purpose.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Action Steps:
Read:
Reflect: How has God used you for His kingdom? Did you feel qualified to do it? Has He called you to anything that you’ve said no to? I challenge you to step out of your boat and follow Jesus today.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for giving me my children, such an important calling. I know that without You, this would be almost impossible to do. I want to lead my little “fishies” to live lives of discipleship, and I can’t do that without first being obedient to You. I pray that when You call me to something, I have the courage to step out of my boat and say yes immediately. Reveal to me anywhere I’m not being obedient. In Your name I pray, Amen.
Written by Cathrine, mom of 4 little minnows