The Greatest Fishing Trip

Having been reared close by the shores of the beautiful lakes in the hill country of the Tennessee River Valley, my earliest and most pleasant memories focus on fishing the sparkling streams and tranquil lakes of that region. In my experience there is nothing that can compare with the excitement and fulfilment of a successful fishing trip. 

  

I well remember those who taught me the rudiments of fishing. There were many valuable lessons to be learned; the importance of knowing the habits and habitat of the species being sought, the wisdom of knowing where and when to fish and the best bait to use, the motivation and commitment required to rise early or stay late and the need for patience and perseverance, were just a few of the vital elements necessary in the making of a fisherman. But perhaps above all else was a certain vision and sense involved in fishing. You had to believe-the fish were really there and would respond to the proper and diligent efforts of a dedicated fisherman.

I'm glad Jesus used the simply analogy of fishing to teach and illustrate the principles of soul winning, or fishing farmers. If there is one thing that is more exciting and fulfilling than fishing for fish, it is fishing for the souls of men. The first principle is the necessity to go fishing. It is not an Endeavour that can be successfully carried on by proxy or in theory. You can faithfully read all the books you wish on the subject and regularly monitor the travels of television fishermen, but you'll never catch a fish until you personally go fishing. Jesus did not say, "Sit and I will sit with you," but, "Go and I will go with you." Go is the operative word He used when urging His followers to personally become His witnesses and fishers of men.

It is true that Christians are sometimes more theoretical than practical in this matter of fishing for men. Many attend conferences and study the meaning and methodology of soul winning, but never seem to place their theory into practice. This would remind one of the story of the bait casting champion who had never caught a fish, but could accurately cast his bait into a small bucket from a great distance nearly every time!  But, of course, he never caught a fish there!

When Jesus said His disciples should launch out into the deep and cast their nets on the other side, He made the need for personal practical participation abundantly clear. If you are going to successfully fish for men you must go where the fish are. In this age of the so-called "couch potato," it is vital we realise that we cannot just dangle a bait in our lounge room, but must go out into the highways and byways of a world teeming with the souls of lost men and women. We must acquaint ourselves with the habits and habitats of those we seek. We must be  ready to rise early and stay late when required. We must equip ourselves to the best of our ability for the important task we face.

But, again, when all is said and done, we must get up and go fishing! Only then will we know the personal joy that faithful obedience to our Savior's. primary command can bring.  Only then can we experience the inexpressible thrill and overwhelming satisfaction of catch and preserving souls for all eternity!

My greatest personal fishing trip?  It was not the occasion when at the age of 15 I was involved in landing an eighty-five pound catfish in the turbulent waters below Wheeler Dam.  It was any one of the many times the Lord blessed me with souls as I went from door to door sharing the glorious message of His gospel during over 50 years of such labour!

There Are No Cheap Crosses

One of the most memorable experiences in my early life was the opportunity to travel to Old Mexico as part of a Missions Survey Class, under the leadership and tutelage of a great man of God and teacher, Dr. Paul Goodwin. Among those things that made a indelible impression was the stark contrast of the poverty of the people of that overwhelmingly Roman Catholic country, and the extreme opulence of the established church. Great ornate cathedrals, richly bedecked and bejewelled with gold and silver and precious stones, graced even the poorest and humblest of villages. Further travels and the accounts of other travellers have confirmed that this is not an unusual phenomenon in such countries.

Set in the midst of all this pretentious opulence, was a plethora of crosses. They seemed to stare at you from shops, steeples, street corners and to be strung around the neck or wrist of every person you met. Crosses constructed of wood, plastic, metal or jewels were to be encountered among the most unlikely items in markets, street stalls and souvenir shops. If such is a measure of Christianity, one would be compelled to say missionaries were wasting their time there. But obviously such was, and is not, the case.

But when you really think about it, such misleading representations of true Christianity can be seen in some strange places and worn by equally unlikely people in our country today. Have you ever thought that some people who like to wear such crosses seem to personify everything else except real Christian committal? Notice if you will, the number of drug promoting rock stars, promiscuous Hollywood personalities, alcohol consuming sports heroes and pretentious politicians, who seem to have an curious affinity for such sad secular symbolism.

But what about crosses? Are we who know the Christ of the Cross supposed to wear them or bear them? Jesus commanded His followers to, "Take up the cross and follow me." And how many of us who profess to possess His salvation really do this? Perhaps we could consider what someone once had to say about the matter, "Have you seen the advertisement in a Christian Bookstore, 'Special, Crosses, Fifty Percent Off'? Too often we Christians shop for a discounted cross rather than take up His cross of self-denial. Some want a vinyl-padded cross that's not too heavy. Others look for a small, flat cross which can be put out of sight when they wish to practice secret discipleship. Still others look for a jewelled cross which can make them part of the fashionable in-crowd. But the cross of authentic discipleship is a plain, rough wooden cross that takes a lot of effort to carry. The type on which our Saviour was crucified. And this is the cross of discipleship which we as His followers are called to carry. But one important difference is that Jesus Himself has promised to stand with us and help us bear the load. He who said, 'Take up your cross,' also declared, 'My yoke is easy, and my burden is light'."

God's Special Creation

The cuddly Koala Bear, which is not a bear at all, in spite of some superficial resemblances, is one of God's unique creatures.  It is a marsupial, as are the many different kinds of kangaroos. The fully grown Koala is about thirty inches long from nose to tail. It really has no tail. Instead it has a callused pad which enables it to sit, mainly sleep, in the fork of a tree for hours on end; evidently without too much discomfort.

The Koala is basically a nocturnal animal; usually sleeping until late afternoons. On occasion, on very rainy and dark days, we have seen a few Koalas high up in tall eucalyptus (gum) trees in the rain forest behind our home. At night we sometimes hear the peculiar bark or cry of the Koala in the same forest. It is said the aborigines rarely bothered the Koala because many believed it the reincarnation of lost children. Perhaps this is because when it is wounded or in pain its pitiful cries are almost childlike.

The aborigines named it "Koala," meaning "I don't drink." This is very appropriate since the Koala does not drink. It gets all the moisture and nutrition it needs from about a dozen of the five hundred known species of gum (eucalyptus) trees growing in Australia. Its survival depends upon an ample supply of these leaves. Its existence in zoos overseas depend upon these particular leaves as well. Vast quantities of these gum tips must be eaten in order to provide the water, carbohydrates, protein and fat necessary for its good health. God, in creating the Koala, also provided an appendix about six to eight feet in length to help deal with this unusual diet.

At birth, the Koala baby is about an inch long. It stays in the pouch until it is weaned at six months.. After weaning, it rides upon its mother's back or clings to her chest. At times, the mother can be seen protecting her little grey bundle with a motherly embrace; sometimes stroking and fondling it in an almost human like manner.

As one considers the greatness of our Great God, and the immensity of His universe and the vastness of His creation, one cannot help but think as well of the variety of His flora and fauna upon His green earth and how it is all inter-linked  and interdependent. The provision our Creator made for the growth, welfare and special dietary needs of the cuddly Koala bear speaks volumes about His concern for even the humblest of His creatures. But why should we be surprised? Did not our Saviour Himself say that the Father who feeds the birds of the air and clothes the lilies in the field cared for even the sparrow who falls to the earth? What wonder that this same Father has numbered the very hairs upon our head!