Scripture: As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.—Mark 1:16-20 Devotional: I hear a call in this text to a way of reaching people that is new and rejuvenating. Jesus seems to specialize in “deep water” fishing. Now, I am not a fisherman I must admit. However, I can imagine there is something about the dynamics of fishing that change when we transition from a pond to an ocean? We have something good. We have something loving and worth sharing. Let’s cast our nets wide! Let’s be intentional about spreading love and being a safe, Godly space for each person we meet. Let’s not only be Christians in church, let’s be Christlike everywhere we go. It is my prayer that folks will be drawn to us, deeply, from everywhere. It is my prayer that the loving, inclusive message our church spreads — the message we talk about on Sundays — is the same message we spread individually, each day of our lives! You might be the only Jesus someone sees, so represent well! Centering Prayer: I am the hands and feet of God in the earth. I am casting my net wider today than yesterday. I am leaning into another level of bravery that might take me out of my comfort zone, and that’s ok. God help me to spread your love, your kindness, your message to all who will listen. Amen.