11. Drop Your Nets

"As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea -- for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' And immediately they left their nets and followed him." Mark 1: 16-17

*****

You must have made quite an impression--

words they couldn't have understood,

plans they couldn't have known

and still

their very livelihood

forgotten in an instant.

How could they--

how could I--

possibly

have that kind

of faith?

How could anything ever

shake me out

of the nets

I cast--

and entangle myself within?

You must have made quite an impression

And maybe you will on me...

Perhaps

You'll let me glimpse

the majesty of the ocean

before commanding me from this puddle

and perhaps

You'll dazzle me with

flashes of technicolor

so I'll give up

black and white.

Perhaps when my time comes

I won't be torn

by the risk I take

by the sacrifice I make--

perhaps

no risk, no sacrifice

at all--

because I'll see thousands of silvery fishes

and I'll drop my nets

forgotten behind me--

child's playthings

in the face of Your bounty.