Lessons while Fishing 17

Lesson 17: The Fishing Trip

Ah, the good, old-fashioned fishing trip. I’ve had many of these over the years, some with an old friend, some with a group of friends, and some with my wife, who by the way also loves fishing. After one of us makes a suggestion of going fishing the fun begins. It is usually a few days or weeks beforehand. We decide where to go, when to go, how to get there, who will come with us, what to bring, and what to eat. When the day comes we eagerly set out, usually around sunup. We may bring a boat or fish from shore. We have lunch, around a campfire if possible. And we may catch some fish. But the big bonus is the fellowship and the strengthening of bonds between like-minded persons.

In the Church this fellowship and bonding often happens around a project that the church members undertake together. While Sunday worship is spiritually beneficial, and Bible studies build up our faith, nothing quite matches the experience of a group of like-minded believers working together to accomplish something for the Kingdom. I remember working with a group of men from the church, cutting trees and bringing firewood to a man who was disabled. I recall working with men renovating a church—the sound of hammers and saws and good-natured teasing being more inspiring than some sermons. Perhaps now is the time for you to call some of your Christian friends and plan such a project. You’ll be blessed as you bless others.

1 John 3:18

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

Lessons while Fishing 16

Lesson 16: The Joy of Fishing

The joy of fishing can only be known by those who fish. Reading about fishing will not impart to you the joy of fishing. Watching fishing shows on television will not give you the joy of fishing. Listening to fishermen tell and retell their fishing stories will not convey the joy of fishing. You cannot experience the joy of fishing until you actually fish. You have to spend time on or near the water. You have to smell the fresh air, the forest, and the meadow. You have to sense your boat bobbing in the waves. You have to feel the tug of a fish on your line. You have to play a fish and win to know the joy of the experience.

The joy of the Lord can only be known by those who know the Lord. You can study the Christian religion. You can read the Bible. You can go to church and Sunday school. You can participate in the rituals. But until you experience for yourself the Presence of Jesus in your life, you will not know the joy He gives. The joy of Christianity can only be known by those who know Christ. You have to spent time with Him. You have to sense Him near you. You have to feel the tug of His Spirit on your heart. Only then will you experience the joy of the Lord for yourself.

John 15:11

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Lessons while Fishing 15

Lesson 15: Fishing requires Knowledge

There is a lot more to fishing than simply throwing a hook and line in the water. There are many things to learn in order to become successful at the sport. A beginner needs to learn such basic things as how to load line on a reel, how to operate the reel, how to tie a hook, lure, and fly on a line, how to cast the line, how to retrieve the line, how to set the hook, and how to land a fish. After that there is such knowledge as knowing where to fish, knowing what lure, bait, or fly to use in a particular place, knowing the best times to fish. And on and on we can go with things to learn in order to become an expert fisherman.

When Jesus called His disciples He said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They knew a lot about fishing for fish, but they did not know a lot about fishing for souls. This was something that they would have to learn. Jesus would make them fishers of men. This was knowledge they would have to acquire. For the following three years they were the Jesus’ class. He taught them knowledge and skills to become soul-winners. They learned both theology and practice. Under His tutelage they became evangelists and eventually went on to win the world for Jesus.

John 6:45

(Jesus said) It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.

Lessons while Fishing 14

Lesson 14 Fishing requires courage

If you’ve ever seen the movie The Perfect Storm or watched the TV series Deadliest Catch you are aware of how dangerous commercial fishing is. (My most dangerous catch is usually ice fishing--trying to keep my fingers and toes from freezing.) As a recreational fisherman I have to take my hat off to those men and women who travel hundreds of miles from land to make a living from the sea. In the days before the cod fish moratorium and before much of today’s safety gear and rescue techniques were developed Newfoundland had the highest number of widows per capita than any other part of Canada because of the many men lost at sea. It takes a lot of courage to be an off-shore fisherman.  

For most of us in Canada, living a Christian life is about as dangerous as recreational fishing. We have to have the interest and the patience and the persistence and the faith but it doesn’t take a lot of courage. The most opposition we face is verbal—someone disagrees with us or perhaps laughs at our beliefs. Our biggest fear is being ridiculed or rejected. In some countries Christians need a lot more courage. When they speak up for Jesus there is a real possibility they could be jailed or beaten or killed. Some Christians have lost their homes and property. Some have lost their families. Many Christians are tortured, even today, for their faith. Let us use the freedom of religion that we have and let us continue to support and pray for those Christians who face death for Jesus.

Revelation 2:10

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

Lessons while Fishing 13

Lesson 13: Fishing Requires Faith

Fishermen are people of faith. Faith by definition is belief and trust in something without absolute scientific proof. When I fish I have to have faith or I would not venture near the water. I have faith that the line I’m using will not break, that my boat will not sink, and that there are fish out there even though I can’t see them. I have faith that if I keep fishing long enough and try hard enough I will catch a fish, even though some days this seems unlikely. I envision fish in my frying pan and I have faith enough to believe that that vision will come true.

Everyone has faith. Even those who claim to be atheists have faith. We get aboard an airplane and believe that the pilot is skilled and sane, even though we’ve never met him or her. We have faith in the mechanics, electricians, and machinists who built and maintain the aircraft, even though we don’t know them and don’t know how everything works on a plane. When we buy groceries we put our faith in the produces, manufacturers, and distributers to provide us with healthy food. Faith is not illogical. It is necessary for life. How much more is it necessary for death. Faith in Jesus takes away fear. Faith in Jesus will enable us to live holy lives. Putting our trust in Him will bring us to Heaven.

John 14:1

(Jesus said)“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”

Lessons while Fishing 12

Lesson 12: Fishing Requires Persistence

You are no doubt familiar with the old adage “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” That facet of your character that enables you to keep trying after you have failed is called persistence. Fishermen do not catch fish every time they throw a hook into the water. I enjoy fly fishing. This kind of angling involves casting the fly across the water over and over again, often hundreds of times without a strike. I often have to change the kind of fly I use. After one fly fails to entice a fish I take it off and try one of a different color or a different shape. I may go through a dozen flies before finding the one that works. This is persistence.

In our Christian life and service we will not be successful at everything we do every time we do it. We will sometimes meet with failure. But like a fly fishermen you need to keep trying and to try different things. Take for example your private prayer time. You may try praying early in the morning but find that you are not a morning person. Don’t give up; try an evening time or even a noon talk with God. Perhaps you are looking for an avenue in which to serve. You try the choir, but find you can’t sing. You try children’s work, but can’t communicate well to children. Don’t give up; try something else until you find what works for you. This is persistence.

Matthew 7:7

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Lessons while Fishing 11

Lesson 11: Fishing Requires Patience

The first disciples of Jesus were fishermen. I think He chose them after observing them at work. Fishermen need to possess specific qualities of character to be successful. These qualities easily transfer to the work of evangelism. Take for example patience. I’m not a patient man by nature. I get frustrated easily, which tends to make me upset and even quit what I’m doing when things don’t go my way. However, when it comes to fishing I have been known to fish for hours on end without catching a single fish. I have felt a fish nibble on my line and watched it swim by and I’ve waited and waited, patiently enticing it until finally it grabbed on and I landed a prize catch.

Witnessing for Jesus often requires a similar kind of patience. We may be impatient by nature, but God can help us to take things easy when we are sharing our faith. People may come into our lives who are curious about Christianity. They are not eager about it. They are not going to grab on to our lifestyle, but they show a little interest. They may want to know what goes on at church, what the Bible is about, and who Jesus is. Witnessing to such people requires great patience. Take things at their pace, not yours. You may go years without success, but a true fisherman does not give up easily. Many a potential convert has been scared off by an over-eager Christian who did not have the patience to wait. In your witnessing, be patient with the unbeliever who has come into your sphere of influence.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.