Blog Archive

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Fishing

"True friends don't spend time gazing into each other's eyes.
... they face in the same direction—
toward common projects, interests, goals—
above all, toward a common Lord."
~ C.S. Lewis


Fishing can be a good business—and dangerous business. Consider this true story.

Jack got into the fishing business, and was a phenomenal success. He was a natural around water, and had a God-given gift for knowing what the fish would bite on and bringing them in.

Jack helped his younger cousin Josh break into the business, and Josh did even better at it than Jack—though both bachelors poured everything back into fishing and lived little better than vagrants. Jack was an orphan and Josh was somewhat of a family outcast. Although the two didn't spend a great deal of time together, a strong bond existed between them. In matters of the soul, they had only each other.

Jack's small business showed up his big business competitors, and they didn't take it kindly. Their friend Conlan happened to be a judge connected to the organized crime which had infiltrated local officials. It became known to Conlan that Jack made some unflattering remarks about him. Jack soon found himself arrested on false charges, and wound up getting killed while he was in jail.

The death devastated Josh. He took a day off work when he heard about Jack. But his demanding business wouldn't wait. He found himself called back on the job before the day was out—his grief pushed aside.

The same mob people involved in Jack's death also took a strong dislike to Josh. He soon found himself dodging the local officials. He tried to warn his coworkers, but they didn't grasp the seriousness of the situation, not even when they saw Josh narrowly sidestep attempted hits on his life.

In the end, the mob got to Josh by paying off one of the coworkers he considered a friend. When thugs came after him, Josh protected his frightened coworkers by surrendering, alone, without a fight. He didn't die quickly like Jack had, but was tortured by the mob pretty gruesomely before they finally killed him.

Jack and Josh both lived hard lonely lives, and both died alone. But before they left this world, they both managed to inspire the men they worked with to excel as fishermen—or fishers of men.

Of course, Jack was better known as John—John the Baptist. And Josh is known as either Yeshua or Jesus in the 21st century. Colan means "hero," as does the name Herod. He was indeed a hero of the rich and powerful, who to this day oppose Josh and His fishing business.

Whether or not one makes fishing for men a full time occupation, life can be incredibly dangerous, lonely, or fraught with distress. Jesus warns us to expect hardships, and He understands them, because He experienced them on a magnitude we'll never know.

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
~ John 15:15 (NKJV)

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You are our Friend. Thank You that we never face hardship alone.

Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com Comments or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, 2008 Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image source:
norskfolke.museum.no

15 comments:

  1. What an amazing story Anne. Magnificent.

    I often think I want to more than friends with the Lord. I know as His child it is much more than a friendship. This seems to be my battle-cry lately.

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  2. I had to go back to read again to enjoy the story under the story. I love the line, "somewhat of a family outcast."

    ~ Wendy

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  3. I saw where you were going and I loved it. I'm thankful that He tasted all of the suffering and pain for me and walks with me every step of the way. He is good.

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  4. "Come, and I will make you fishers of men." I've always thought these words to be so interesting...evidently so compelling to those who heard them.

    You gotta love fishermen...different breed for sure. A few of them helped change the world forever.

    Great post!

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  5. Yes, a friend that sticks with us through it all and understands.

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  6. Amen, He is with us, through the good, and the bad. I loved this sis.

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  7. T ~ Our fellowship with God has many dynamics, because of how complete He is. It is amazing that He can fulfill us relationally in such a myriad of ways. I may just publish a book on that someday ...

    Wendy ~ I wondered if people might read this twice to enjoy its full flavor. You make me smile.

    Jason ~ I also wondered how many people would catch on before the ending, and I'm smiling that you did.

    Jeff ~ I'll confess I've failed to grasp the appeal of carefully baiting, casting, lingering long—until I start talking Bible. :D

    Patty ~ In some trials, when I begin to weary of waiting for the Lord to work good, the comfort is found in knowing I don't persevere alone. In that hour, He carries me. I am still growing.

    Denise ~ I'm glad you loved it second time around. ; )

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  8. As cars go by,
    I cast my minds eye,
    Over backpacks and roof racks,
    As dream makers reach for,
    The pie in the sky,
    Go fishing my boy.

    - Roger Waters


    Beautiful way to present a beautiful story, Anne.

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  9. I’ve enjoyed looking over your blog. I came across it through another blog I follow, and I’m glad I did. I am now a follower of yours as well. Feel free to look over my blog and perhaps become one as well

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  10. Russell ~ I had to think on that poem a while to get it. (The purpose of poetry being to make a person slow down and think—right?) Thanks.

    Stan ~ Thank you for the invite. And now I'm curious about who our mutual blog acquaintance might be.

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  11. Anne, I just loved this. I did not catch it until 'Herod' but once I did felt compelled to go back and read it again. Blessings to you. This was good for my soul today ;)

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  12. I never "caught" where you were going at all. Then I read again and saw it perfectly. Wonderful!

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  13. Wow. I loved that. I love fishing you know. And that was great. Thank you.

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  14. Debra ~ Blessings backatcha! Your smiling face and kind words are good for my own soul.

    Sandra ~ I was hoping that I could slip this by most people. It's a fun way to make people rethink a familiar story.

    Doug ~ You like fishing? You? Naaah. I'd have never guessed LOL! I'm thinking you like both kinds.

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  15. I have just come from Abba Whispers. It is so real an beautiful!

    Thank you for sharing your heart for God. He hears you.

    Blessings,

    Andrea

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