Faith in a Time of Pandemic – Fishing for Persons

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Fishing for People
(8/20)

Follow me, and I will make you fish for people. (Matthew 5:19; see Matthew 5:18-22)

Follow me! How can you follow Jesus and fish for people when you’re sheltering in place? How can you share good news when you don’t get out much?

The gospel isn’t about distance. Every place can be the right place to share good news. No activity is bereft of God’s presence. You can serve God wherever you are.

Look at your day. How can you bring beauty to the world? How can you enrich someone’s life? Each day can be a tipping point between life and death, and health and illness. Whom might you be in contact with? Whom might you call or drop a note or email? You can say “hi.” Smile with your eyes even if your mouth is covered with a mask.

Recently one of my companions, that is, the folk I encounter on my sunrise walks along Covell’s and Craigville beaches referred to me as the “mayor” of the beach. I chuckled and asked why I got that nickname. She responded, “you seem to know everyone.” That may not be the case, but I wave or say “hi” to all the early birds and after a while we have a few words and then a few more.

I have made it a point to try to “bless” everyone I meet not only on the beach but as I answer the phone or respond to email. I’m not out to “save” them but to bring some goodness and beauty to their lives. On the lakeshore of life, we can say “yes” to God’s caope call and open to all the adventures that come my way as God’s companion in healing the world.

Here is “Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdsab4mm4nI
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Help me find you on the seashore of my life, looking toward the far horizons of possibility. Open my eyes and bless my journey as I follow you in the challenges of daily life. Keep alive the vision of something more, a higher place, a deeper faith, a greater love. Amen.

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Bruce Epperly is a Cape Cod pastor, professor, and author of over 50 books including HOPE BEYOND PENDEMIC, GOD ONLINE: A MYSTIC’S GUIDE TO THE INTERNET, FAITH IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC, and PROCESS THEOLOGY: EMBRACING ADVENTURE WITH GOD.