Sell Fish PERSPECTIVE 12 january 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good news • South Florida Edition I can imagine that if you had met one of the interns of Jesus before they were officially following Him and asked, “What is the purpose of your life?” they might have answered, “Sell fish.” Many people living 2,000 years ago made their living growing crops, raising livestock, building and repairing structures or selling fish. I imagine the vocation of selling fish — especially along the shore of a lake — was fairly stable and even lucrative. Like any profession, it carried its share of hardship, competition and long hours. Then one day, Jesus comes walking along the shoreline and makes a beeline for a few men selling fish. He calls them by name, which suggests this wasn’t their first encounter. After all, He had grown up in the same region. And with a single invitation, He challenges their existing purpose and invites them into something entirely new. It’s a bold move. A public interruption. A redefinition of identity. He even uses a metaphor — something Jesus loved to do — suggesting that serving people, not fish, would now define their lives. This idea has captured my curiosity. Each year, as I reflect on the past and prepare for the future, I pray that God would give me a word — something that becomes my north star. The process is reflective and honest. I take inventory of my purpose, character, wins, failures, flaws, vocation, friendships and how I steward my time. I try to be patient as I listen for that word. I’ve been taught my whole life that to lead well, one must be a servant leader. I’ve also been taught that selflessness is a virtue to pursue — that it’s better to focus on others than on self. Many of my heroes, both biblical and modern, seem to have sacrificed nearly everything for others. Questioning my assumptions But lately, I’ve found myself questioning some of these assumptions. Is it possible that being a little more selfish could actually be advantageous? If we view life through the lens that the end justifies the means, could selfishness sometimes be good for everyone involved? For example, a workaholic parent who sacrifices time with family to provide opportunity, stability and education — could that actually be love expressed differently? We’re often quick to label such behavior as selfish, but perhaps it’s more complicated than that. I began to notice a few apparent advantages of selfishness. First, there’s the allure of being unfiltered. The freedom to say, write or post whatever I want under the banner of “authenticity” feels liberating. No restraint. A poster child for self-expression. I tell it like it is — because I see a lot. Second, there’s clarity. When I become the primary beneficiary of my own life, everything simplifies. Every relationship, every role, every decision becomes transactional — evaluated through the lens of How does this benefit me? Life becomes efficient, streamlined… even profitable. The “golden era of me.” Finally, selfishness offers protection. It shields me from vulnerability. It allows me to suppress empathy — because empathy can be costly. It can soften resolve, blur boundaries and lead me to give more than I intended. How many times have we cared deeply for someone, only to feel taken for granted, unappreciated, or used? That kind of pain leaves a mark. Finding my purpose So I thought I had found my purpose. My life’s purpose is to sell fish. It’s simple. It’s profitable. It’s winnable. It’s efficient. Booyah. But then one morning, I notice a figure approaching from the shore. As He draws closer, He becomes familiar. A carpenter. A stonemason. Perhaps He’s thinking of changing careers. Perhaps He’s curious about my success. I catch myself subtly performing — showing off a bit — thinking He must be impressed with how I’ve figured life out. Then He looks at me. And something shifts. He knows me. He knows what I do and why I do it. He knows my ambitions, my fears, my wounds, my striving. He knows how hard I work to win — to matter — to make a name for myself. And suddenly, I feel exposed. Then He speaks. He invites me to give up my identity as one who sells fish and to become someone who serves people. He invites me to watch His life — to see that mine, for all its striving, is thin and unsatisfying by comparison. He gently reveals that my way is leading toward loneliness and regret, while His way leads toward generosity, meaning and life. He shows me that a life poured out for others is far richer than a life spent protecting myself from them. And everything changes. My word of the year I’ve settled on my word for the year: encourage. To encourage means to give someone courage, confidence or hope — especially when they feel weary, uncertain or afraid. I’m increasingly aware of how many people, across every culture, generation and stage of life, desperately need what Jesus so freely gives. And somehow, He has invited me to participate in that work. When He leads, the rules change. I must be more filtered, not less. Less transactional, more present. Less guarded, more empathetic. But I am no longer fishing alone. I fish with Him. Stephan N. Tchividjian is the CEO and co-founder of the National Christian Foundation South Florida. Visit southflorida.ncfgiving.com to learn more. - Stephan Tchividjian - CEO and Co-Founder, National Christian Foundation South Florida
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