“Son, you can’t catch fish unless your line is in the water.”

The words of my father still echo in my ears. As a young fisherman, it was sometimes hard to stay focused. There were always distractions on the shore—shiny tackle, frogs along the bank, turtles slipping into the water. This was especially true when the fishing was slow.

But Dad was right. No one ever caught a fish without their line in the water. And the fishermen who catch the biggest and most fish are the ones who consistently and persistently keep casting.

It takes persistence to catch fish. And it takes persistence to catch men.

“The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.” (Proverbs 20:4)

I love hearing great soulwinning testimonies. But I’ve come to understand that every “big catch” story represents hundreds of unseen hours of labor. A trophy on the wall represents thousands of casts. Likewise, a soulwinner’s “success” represents the gospel given out again and again—faithfully witnessing to friends and neighbors, distributing tracts, showing up at outreach events, praying, inviting, loving.

Good fishermen and good soulwinners have one thing in common: they just keep fishing.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)

1.) Be Persistent Through Hardship

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2 Timothy 2:3)

Fishing is not glamorous. Fishermen rise before daylight, travel long distances, endure cold mornings and blazing afternoons. They deal with tangled lines, broken equipment, lost fish, leaky boats, and days when nothing bites.

In Christ’s day, fishing could be deadly. Storms arose suddenly. Men labored all night to provide for their families.

Gospel work is no different. We face rejection, indifference, and sometimes open opposition. Not every conversation is fruitful. Not every invitation is accepted. But to catch men, we must endure hardness. The work requires grit, patience, and faith.

2.) Be Persistent to Seek the Lost

“Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets.” (Luke 5:4)

Fish do not swim into the boat. Fishermen must go where the fish are. They must launch out.

God’s Word tells us the same about lost souls:

“There is none that seeketh after God.” (Romans 3:11)

Lost men and women do not naturally seek Christ. They do not wake up longing to be “caught.” We cannot simply put a welcome mat at the church door and expect the harvest to come in. We must go. We must seek. We must lovingly pursue.

The soulwinner’s job is simple: stay with Christ and go after men.

3.) Be Persistent to Experience Joy

There is great joy in landing a fish. When you hold a prize catch in your hands, the cold mornings and long hours suddenly seem small.

Leading someone to Christ is the greatest catch of all.

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26)

One soul saved makes every effort worthwhile.

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” (Luke 15:7)

There is joy in heaven.
There is joy on earth.
And there is joy for eternity.

So when the fishing feels slow…
When the casts seem endless…
When discouragement creeps in…

Remember what my father said: “You can’t catch fish unless your line is in the water.”

Keep casting. Keep witnessing. Keep loving.

In due season, you shall reap—if you faint not.