Lessons while Fishing 19

Lesson 19: The Fishing Season

Fishing has its seasons. Different species of fish may be legally caught at different times of the year. As a boy growing up in Newfoundland I could hardly wait for the summer trout season to begin. It lasted from the middle of June to the middle of September, which coincided nicely with the summer holidays. When I grew older I got interested in salmon fishing and enjoyed catching those in their season. Now that I live in Ontario I look forward to bass season. Some species, like perch, can be caught all year round. Commercial fishermen also go after different species in different seasons. I remember helping my father catch squid in their season and helping a friend haul his lobster traps in their season.

The Bible says “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). This verse, in fact the entire chapter, was made famous by the Byrds in their 1965 hit Turn, Turn, Turn. It talks about the seasons of life. Just as there are different seasons for fishing, there are different times in our life for doing particular things. Whether witnessing (there is “a time to be silent and a time to speak”), or ministering (“a time to plant”), or serving (“a time to love”), everything has its season. But some activities, like perch fishing, have no season. They can and should be done all year round. Living our faith is one of those activities.

1 Peter 3:15

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,