How do you fish for people?

     We are back in Matthew again this week, with yet another account of Jesus calling the disciples.  If you recall from last week the two disciples followed Jesus, without being asked.  Yet according to Matthew 4.12-23, Jesus is the one who called the disciples.  They were just out, minding their own business, doing what it is they do every day - fishing. 
    These two guys probably woke up that morning, had their regular breakfast and routine, and went to work expecting just another day at the office - and it was anything but!  That day Jesus happened to be walking by.  When he saw them he gave them the command, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people."  Now if someone were to come along to me and say that I might look at them strangely, roll my eyes, and turn back to my work.  Or, if I had wanted out of the family business for years and just needed the perfect excuse, I might do what these two brothers did: immediately they left their nets and followed Jesus.  But the disciples reaction is neither here nor there.
    What I am intrigued with is that Jesus takes two fishermen, (or four fishermen if you read the next verse) and not only does he affirm the way they make their living, Jesus transforms what they do during the day into ministry.  Jesus doesn't say, "Hey, if you want to follow me you have to become carpenters."  Jesus takes the two disciples, just as they are, with their own skills, gifts, and talents, and makes them see their jobs differently.  Who knows?  Maybe these disciples hated being fishermen.  Maybe they hated coming home and smelling like fish, or living in a rotten, stinky boat all day.  And Jesus can use them anyway!
     Part of our mission statement here at St. John is to be a presence in the community.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again: we already are a presence in the community.  Each of us, every day when we go to work, the store, kids' practices/games, etc.  We're already there!  The key is to move from simply being in the community to being known in the community.  Who bags your groceries?  Who sells you your gas and other convenience store items?  Who sits in the cube next to yours?  Who answers the phones in your area?  Delivers your mail?  God is calling each of us, in whatever it is we do during the day, to be God's presence for others.  To fish for people.  Jesus invited the disciples to 'come and see' last week.  Have you invited anyone to come and see? 
     Someone told me that I had to go see a movie the other day.  Wouldn't it be a great witness if we invited people to come to worship the same way we invite people to see a movie?  To tell them, "you just have to go see what God is doing in that place!"?  God is calling you to ministry, each and every day, right where you are, doing what you are already doing.  The mystery is, how do you fish for people?