Fishing for PeopleSample

The Fishing Rod of Godly Lifestyle

Have you ever seen the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

It’s a public sidewalk in Los Angeles dedicated to celebrities who have made a significant contribution to the entertainment industry. They each get a physical “star” placed on the sidewalk with their name on it, memorializing their work.

Hollywood is filled with “stars,” and I love watching a good action movie, but one film series caught my attention.

When the script was finished, the writers/producers sent it to an actor they really wanted in the film. When this actor, being a Christian, read the script, he sent it back saying that he could not be in a production with so much foul language in it.

Talk about a risk. Here is a guy who decided to take a stand for his faith rather than just taking the job and the money.

And what happened?

They rewrote the script to meet his standards, and he did the movie.

The Hollywood world can be a spiritually dark place, but what an amazing opportunity to “shine among them like stars in the sky…” (Philippians 2:15 NIV). To be a “fisher of people,” we sometimes need to go fishing in the dark.

But here’s what’s interesting: That actor didn’t argue. He respected their right to the script but held to his faith by politely choosing not to be a part of it, the way it was written.

You and I will probably never have a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame or need to turn down a script, but in what dark places is He asking us to “shine like stars” for Him?

It could be our workplace, family gathering, or community. It could be the men’s softball team, rec hockey, or even pickleball. It could be the next-door neighbor or the schools our kids attend.

Wherever you are, Jesus has you there for a reason:

To shine like stars in the dark.

Hebrews chapter 11 tells us that God has His own “Walk of Fame.” It’s not about getting a star on a sidewalk, but rather about living in such a way that others see Him in us.

Prayer: Jesus, help me see the truth of where You have me in my life, and then help me be a man who shines for You in the dark. Amen.

Reflection: Make a list of all the places where God has you. Then pray and ask Jesus to help you shine in any dark places.