Max Lucado tells of a week long, high school fishing trip with his father and best friend. The secluded mountain destination overlooked a picturesque lake. Arriving late at night, dreaming of warm sunshine, easy boating and rigorous fishing, the trio awoke instead to horizontal rain and sleet. Three days of bad weather, endless Monopoly games and out-of-date Readers Digests frayed the friendship. Patience tired, tempers shortened and when the father called it quits on day four, no-one disagreed. Lucado reflects on the lesson he learned: “When those who are called to fish don’t fish, they fight!” Like youngsters kicking a football inside, external intended energies used internally quickly become destructive.
Lucado likens his high school experience to that of Christians - called to be ‘fishers of men’ - sitting inside the church misusing their energy. They miss the point. God calls people in, to send people out. Our coming to God is not an end in itself. Yes, we enjoy His forgiveness, love and transforming power. But, like Jesus and his disciples, he draws us, in order to dispatch us. Most Christians know they are called. Not all seem convinced they are sent.
Too many Christians today are keepers of the aquarium rather than fishers of men. (anon)
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Very good, Simon, thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work there, Simon. The kids and I were at the same church as you a few years ago, and I appreciate all the good work you did there then!
ReplyDeleteWe are good friends with two members of your congregation!!