Monday, October 11, 2010

Infectious Faith


Recruiting his first disciples along the Sea of Galilee shoreline, Jesus said he would make them “fishers of men.”

The Message interprets his pitch to Peter and Andrew (Matthew 4:19) this way:

Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.”

Jesus’ intent was clear, but there’s wide interpretation over the type of bait we should use. Some opt for fear and shame. At the other extreme are evangelists who promise prosperity. I’m trying to fill my spiritual bait bucket with compassion, comfort, forgiveness and love.

Let’s pray…

Lord, I read a devotion that grabbed my attention.

It stated that we are agents of cosmic reconciliation…that you are at work healing your creation. That’s a big idea. What’s my role?

This reminds me that my salvation is not an entirely personal matter. Indeed, there’s a responsibility to share my faith, to live a life that draws others to you.

I pray, Lord Christ, that you will equip me for that work. (Left to my own devices I’m seriously deficient.)

Holy Spirit, help me to develop an infectious, communicable faith…that I may be your agent in my corner of the cosmos.
Amen.