The Old Man and the Sea
“It’s not about the catching; It’s about the fishing!”
Every morning the old man packs his little rubber boat. His rods and his bait are neatly stacked to balance his load. He pulls it all down to the seashore. He unpacks all in a very coordinated manner. When he is sure everything is secure in the little rubber dingy, he sets sail or more aptly put he sets afloat for there are no sails. His paddles glide silently through the water. Moving steadily through the waves that try to push him back to the shore as if they are trying to keep him from today’s adventure.
On the shore stands the blue heron which stalks the shore each morning for her breakfast. For a while she follows two vacationers as if she’s listening to their conversation.
The two ladies do not even seem to notice that the heron is only three feet behind them. Following the ladies for several yards, she suddenly stops as if she sees something move in the water. The heron now turns her attention to the small fish that was caught in the wave and deposited on the sand in front of the her. Ah yes, breakfast is served!
Meantime the old man is still casting his lines into the deep blue water. He is now past the wave and floating along in the current. Drifting, drifting ever so slowly down the shore and out to sea. It seems nothing is taking his enticing bait. He continues to paddle further out.
Will it be today he catches something for dinner? Will there be fresh seafood on the table tonight? Or maybe he is just enjoying the quiet rhythm of the oceans’ melody. If he catches the “big” one, will he just release it for another day?
Is he out each morning to escape the problems of each day? Is he searching for answers to all of life’s problems?
He paddles on further as if the answers are out on the horizon just beyond his next cast.
Drifting, drifting further and further. He has no anchor. There is nothing to stop the currents pull on his little rubber boat. Silently he moves through his day.
At the end of the day, he paddles his way back. Pulling all his load back to the shore. Packing it all neatly for the next day. Neatly packed in a three by three foot package, he pulls it back to his condo only to bring it back out on the next morning.
Each day as I watched this I could not help but think that this is the way I live my life! I pack all my important (or what I feel is necessary) for the day’s adventure into my ______whatever. I set out in my daily routine. I have everything neatly arranged. I try to get past the breaking waves of problems of the day. I cast my net over my tasks that is today’s goal.
Is what we do today going to impact our culture and our community for the kingdom of Christ?
We are to be fishers of men! This is our adventure! We are called, chosen and commissioned to be fishers of men!
The catching is God the Holy Spirit’s job. We are to go out each day prepared to throw out the lifeline to those with which we have a divine appointment.
We are to paddle toward the lost and dying world. We must be careful that we not drifting in our responsibility and losing sight of our mission.
We must be sure that we have the right bait, which is the Word of God and not just our opinion! Only the Word “convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment to come” through the power of the Holy Spirit. (John 16:7-8)
Mark 1:17 “And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.”
Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
Father,
My prayer today is we will live our life with your fire shining brightly. May others see your Son, Jesus, in us. Help me to remember I bear your image. Help me to not let distractions lead me away from the things you want for me today. Help me to love you more, listen to your heart and enjoy you more today than yesterday.
Loving and enjoying you today.
Freda Reynolds
Unspoken – Start A Fire
