Lessons while Fishing 2

Lesson 2: Different Kinds of Fishermen

There are fishermen and than there are fishermen. They are not all alike. Two big categories are commercial fishermen and recreational fishermen. I belong to the latter group because I don’t earn my living from fishing. However I still take my fishing seriously. Among the recreational fishermen there are the deep sea fishermen who go after the big fish such as sailfish and swordfish, and there are those who prefer to fish is streams and lakes and bring home pan fish for a good old-fashioned fish fry. There are fishermen who prefer to use bait and those who prefer to fly fish. All fishermen have one thing in common: they love what they do.

What can be said of fishermen can also be said of Christians. We are not all alike. Two big categories are Catholic and Protestant. Then there are sub-categories such as Evangelical, Holiness, and Charismatic to name just a few. Some Christians like to worship with loud, contemporary music, some with brass bands and orchestras, and some with soft organ music. There are Christians who prefer to worship with large crowds of thousands and others who prefer to belong to a small congregation of a hundred or less. But all real Christians have one thing in common: they love Jesus and want to follow Him. 

John 13:35 (NIV)

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Lessons while Fishing - 1

Lesson 1: The Fishing Metaphor

Today we begin a new series of readings, this one on the topic of fishing. Whether you fish or not, I hope you enjoy the spiritual lessons from this series.

I have been fishing since as long as I can remember. As a child of five or six I used to catch little fish in a bottle from a creek near our house. Later when our family moved to another town and built a house near a river I spent many happy hours fishing with a rod and line. As an adult I have fished in many lakes and streams, often accompanied by my wife who also enjoys fishing.

When I read in the Bible how Jesus called His first disciples I was thrilled to learn that those first followers were fishermen. There was Peter and his brother Andrew, and James and his brother John. They were fishermen, owned a boat, and earned their living catching fish from the Sea of Galilee. When Jesus called them He said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." To be a follower of Jesus is much like being a fisherman. You are being called to help catch people and bring them into the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 4:19 (KJV)
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Lessons from a Sailboat 21

Lesson 21: The Marina

Most sailboats are berthed in a marina. This is a sheltered place where boats can moor, get fuel and water, and find other supplies. But there is more to a marina than that. The marina where my boat is moored organizes special events such as a pig roast and a music concert. I get to meet other boaters and sailors and their families. And if I need help with something, someone is always ready to give me their advice or show me how to do something. And there is always a smile and a friendly wave as we pass one another in the channel.

What I have described as a marina sounds very much like my church. That too is a sheltered place where I can get refreshment for my soul. It is a place that organizes times of fellowship such as picnics, dinners and music concerts. And there I meet other Christians and their families. Church is a place where you can be encouraged by other Christians as you share your story of God’s grace in your life and listen to the stories of others. Become a part of a church fellowship and experience the joy of belonging.

Acts 2:42

They (believers) devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Lessons from a Sailboat 20

Lesson 20: Cockpit

The cockpit is the hub of a sailboat. This is the area toward the back of the boat where the crew sit and where most of the work of sailing is done. The cockpit on my boat has benches along each side to accomodate four to six people. Here is where the tiller is located to steer the boat. And all the lines attached to the foresail and the mainsail lead back to the cockpit. Here too is where the crew (all passengers are considered crew) usually socialize in comfort and safety.

The cockpit reminds me of those places in our Christian life where we meet with other Christians to work and have fellowship. This can be as part of a project team helping with such things as cleaning the church grounds, preparing a church supper, visiting shut-ins, or organizing a music concert. It’s fun to be part of a crew, to know that you have a job and are counted. Get involved in service with others and you will discover the joy of fellowship in doing.

1 Corinthians 3:9

For we are co-workers in God’s service

Lessons from a Sailboat 19

Lesson 19:  Motor

Even on my sailboat I have motor. It is a 4-stroke, 8-hp Honda. The motor is attached to the transom by means of an adjustable wooden plate so that the motor can be lifted out of the water when the boat is under sail. A rubber gasoline line runs from the motor to a gas tank. The motor is a backup power source. In the last five months of sailing I have used less than twenty dollars worth of fuel. Because I have the motor serviced it is reliable, and I don’t have to worry when the wind fails or a storm blows me off course.

In life you depend on certain things for your physical and spiritual well-being. You rely on your employer to provide you with a reasonable income. You depend on your church to provide you with good biblical teaching and inspiring worship. You count on your friends for encouragement. But what happens if one or more of these fail? What is your backup plan? What are your alternatives? God has promised never to fail us, never to leave us. We should never think of God as Plan B. He is Plan A all the time. While other sources of inspiration or support may fail, God never will.

Hebrews 13:15

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Lessons from a Sailboat 18

Lesson 18: Buoys

If you’ve ever travelled on a boat of any kind you probably have noticed buoys floating in the water. These are navigational aids, usually made of steel and painted in various colours. They are anchored in place to give directions to boats. They serve two main purposes: to give directions or to warn of dangers. The colours and markings give directions so that the captain can knows where to steer his boat. It is essential for a boat operator to follow these directions carefully.

In your life there are people who act like buoys. By that I mean they give you advice (sometimes whether you ask for it or not). They sometimes warn you about dangers. They sometimes tell you what you should do (in their opinion). Unlike buoys, which cannot be ignored, the people who give you direction can be ignored. You need to know who is giving the advice and be able to weigh it carefully. We should not dismiss all advice outright. Sometimes the adviser is God-sent. We can learn from others, but we must take all advice carefully.

Proverbs 11:14

Where there is no counsel, the people fall;

But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Lessons from a Sailboat 17

Lesson 17: The Anchor

Anchors are not as simple as they seem. The traditional fisherman’s anchor holds well but is very heavy. The plow design (which looks like a plough) is hinged and light. The Bruce design is a variation of the plow but is not hinged. The Danforth is hinged and light and can also be stowed flat, which is the one I use. The top quality of an anchor is its holding power. It is important also that the anchor be securely attached to the boat with a chain or a combination of chain and line (rope). If everything is right, your anchor will hold and your boat will be secure.

An old gospel song asks the question:

 “Will your anchor hold in the storms of life, When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain, Will your anchor drift or firm remain?”

To answer these questions in the affirmative we need to know that we are anchored in Christ. He is the rock that will not move. Our faith is our anchor. The grace of God is the anchor line. With our faith strong, and our anchor secure we will be able to face everything that life throws at us.

Romans 8:38, 39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life…nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.