We went to Jennette’s Pier today, the longest pier on the East Coast (or something like that) and enrolled in a fishing class. For the record, I caught nothing.

Professionally taught, geared, baited, and everything. And I caught nothing.

[I did have a good time though.]

And it struck me that when Jesus told his disciples that they would become “fishers of men,” he wasn’t kidding. You can have the right gear, training, and everything, and still feel like your message isn’t being heard at all. 

Fishing is about time and patience; fishing for people is about time and patience and… relationships.

Too often, I hear people talking about a correct formula, the “right way” to share your faith, and I shake my head. [Yes, sometimes I even shake my head where they can see me. That’s just me.] Relationships, sharing love and faith, are not built in a day or a moment; you can’t just show up, throw a line in, and assume you’re always going to be doing something that’s “fixing a jewel in your crown” [wow, I really can’t stand that phrase, but you know what I mean. Or you don’t, and then you shouldn’t worry about it.]

The thing is, I learned something today about casting, about bait, about untangling your line from the pier. That matters for the next time I go fishing.

And I spent a wonderful morning with one of my kids. That’s worth it right there, right?

Fishing takes time, whether it’s pig fish in the Atlantic or people you want to tell that God loves them in your everyday life.

Sometimes, you’ve just gotta throw the line in.