I have lived on these shores since I was born,
To my father, himself a fisherman.

I have seen this gently lapping sea
Grow violent and eat up the souls of men.

My family for generations have lived
On the sea, from its abundant wealth.

We have fed our families with calloused hands
And our knowledge of the sea.

We often fish through the night
And sleep through the heat of the day.

In fact, we fished all last night
Out upon the star-lit waters.

Stripped down for work in the cool night,
Sweating from the labor that is our pride.

As we clean our nets in the morning air,
A man approaches and asks to preach.

From the bowels of my boat
A little off the beach.

“Sure,” I say, barely hiding my weariness,
“We’ll hear what you have to say.”

He teaches and it’s good and all,
But I just want to sleep.

In fact, I’m nearly drowsing
When the teacher startles me.

He says, “Push a little further out
And cast your nets once more.”

“Why, this ignorant landsman,
Telling me how to fish!” I think.

I tell him we fished all night
And didn’t catch a thing.

Well, this man Jesus goes on and insists,
“Who am I, a fisherman, to disagree?”

I restrain my eyes from rolling
As I give instructions to the crew.

They’re good men, and they don’t grumble
As we undo our hours of work.

I toss the net my ten thousandth time
And think maybe now he will leave.

The net hits the water and gently sinks,
All I can think is I really want to sleep.

Suddenly, the ropes strain
As the net begins to fill.

I nearly lose my footing
As the boat heaves to the net’s side.

We’re unable to pull in our net,
The net’s thin fibers strain.

I yell at my cousins, “Come help,
Drag in this net with me!”

We get to the shore,
And not one fish is lost.

I look at the boats,
More fish than I’ve ever seen.

I see Jesus helping to tidy up the net,
He’s laughing as he works, caught up in our joy.

I look at him and want to weep,
Why had I doubted him?

I fall on my knees among the fish,
I say, “Lord, leave me; I’m unworthy!”

He says, “Simon, you’re a great fisherman,
Now come with me, and fish for men.”