No catch during evangelism efforts?
Imagine… you are a Christian, but never(!) see anyone come to faith. Is that possible?
Yes and no. Because yes, it certainly is possible. And no… it is not possible / something must change. Pay attention. There are roughly two reasons why you never catch a “fish”:
1: You are fishing in the wrong spot.
John 21:5-6 (NASB): “So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.”
So, it may be that you are doing your best to catch fish, but you are fishing in the wrong place. If you notice that… then, just as stated in that verse, you must ask the Father for advice on where to fish. Continuing at the current fishing spot is therefore not an option; ask the Father for the right spot.
2: You are not fishing.
Romans 10:14–15 (NASB): “How then are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?” “However, how are they to preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!””
What you see very clearly in that verse is that people must be told what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is, because if you don’t tell it, they cannot hear, and if they don’t hear, how can they believe? In other words: keeping your mouth shut and saying “they can just see it in me” will not work. Catching fish without using the hooks / without casting the net will not work.
Temporarily not catching fish
The top two examples are about never catching fish. But it may also be that you have caught fish in the past, but not for a while now. Despite knowing (through the Father) that you are fishing in the right spot. It can also be that you know this is the right spot (because of what the Father has told you), but you are not catching fish yet. Then this verse is especially for you:
Galatians 6:9 (NASB): “And let’s not grow weary of doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not give up.”
1 Corinthians 4:2 (NASB): “In this regard, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.”
And if you do that, faithfully, at the spot the Father told you:
Luke 5:5-6 (NASB): “But Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and lower the nets.” When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break;”
Conclusion:
In other words, a Christian who never catches fish… that should not be possible. Either you are not fishing, or you are not fishing at the spot the Father told you, or it is temporary and you can be assured that His catch will come, in His time. That brings peace when the fish are not biting for a while.
Matthew 4:19 (NASB): “And He *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of people.””
Matthew 28:19–20 (NASB):
- Go, therefore, (an active command, no gospel without movement)
- and make disciples of all the nations, (it is universal, no one is excluded) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
- teaching them (so you must literally tell them)
- to follow all that I commanded you; (do not tell half a gospel / half a truth) and behold,
- I am with you always, to the end of the age. (you are not alone in the task; Jesus Himself is with you)
- Amen.
So, if you are not catching fish now? Then you have 3 choices:
- Start fishing at all…
- Ask the Father where you should fish. (and do it)
- Trust in God and His promises and be faithful.
