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Today’s Photograph…. Go Ahead Punk, Make My Day (MQ)
Bible Study Verse
Luke 5:4-7
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. (NIV)
Thoughts
The cap had “Fear No Fish” written on its side. However, it was the ichthy with an attitude on the front of the cap that got my attention initially. The normally sedate, unassuming little fish with Greek lettering for scales, frequently found swimming innocently across the trunk of a car. In this case it was emblazoned prominently on the front of a G-Loomis hat with barred, razor-sharp teeth, hackles up, and daring the unexpecting observer who dared approach to “catch me if you think you’re prepared for the challenge!” I could almost imagine this particular fishing cap issuing me the ultimatum: “Go ahead punk, make my day!”
O.K., so I’ve watched too many movies over the years. I do imagine the marketing folks thought this caricature would “hook” passing fishermen and elicit our innate desire to prepare for the fishing season by considering any and all occasions or species and stock up on the latest, greatest gear. After all, we can never have too much tackle.
Jesus issued the challenge to be “fishers of men”. This was issued to those who made a living fishing. They knew the trade, had the skills, had the equipment, knew where to fish, and knew how to fish or so they thought. After an evening of spectacularly unsuccessful fishing in their traditional spot; they were instructed to cast their nets in a different place. Faced with the undeniable reality of not catching any fish, they ultimately cast where they were instructed and had drastically different results!
Why didn’t they consider changing their location on their own? Perhaps they were afraid to change their location. After all, why commit time and resources to fishing in an unproven spot when they could wait for the fish to eventually come to them. They were ready for the fish when they arrived. But, that was not the plan and that was not what they were to learn on this particular fishing expedition. In order to catch the fish, they had to change their mindset, their hearts, and then their location. They had to prepare themselves not only with the appropriate skills and equipment, but with the correct location. Once they were located in the right spot, the fish were irresistibly drawn to the net. (Jay C)
Action Point
Perhaps we’ve been fishing in the same spot too long. Maybe the fish in our favorite pond are used to our bait. Perhaps we need to move to a different location. Maybe we need to not worry about the logistics of a move. Perhaps we need to set aside the rationality of staying where we are. Maybe we need to give all the “reasons why it’s not a good, prudent, and responsible idea” to the Lord. Perhaps, maybe, our years of fishing, the skills, the patterns, and the techniques we’ve acquired are ready to be used for the ichthy with attitudes the Lord needs reeled in over there.
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