Two Men Fishing

Two Men Fishing

A Different Tale

            Joe and Devon arose very early on this particular Saturday morning to embark on a fishing trip, they had been eagerly anticipating for several weeks. It was a beautiful morning as the sun started rising. It was mid-September and the temperature was a comfortable 63 degrees. For each man, this was a well-deserved break from their busy life and they shared their enthusiasm of spending this day out on a beautiful lake and catching more fish than they could even dream of. And while the plan called for them to be together and share an experience, in the end, it would seem as if they were on entirely different trips. Is it possible for two people to be in the same place, at the same time, and yet be in two different dimensions? Stick around and let’s find out.

            Joe is the senior of the two men by about 30 years but they share a love for nature and enjoy taking in its splendor. The sun was beginning to rise upon the calm clear blue lake. There was a gentle breeze blowing and everything looked promising for a perfect day of relaxation, and hopefully come home with Moby Dick in the cooler. They could feel the stress and worry leaving their bodies and replaced with anticipation of a great day.

            They shoved off in their 16 ft. John Boat, which was powered by a small gasoline motor and a trolling motor. With Devon upfront and Joe in the rear, they set off to begin their adventure. After finding a promising little cove with a nice rocky bottom, they threw their lines in with confidence, that they were going to catch fish. It was only a question of how many and who would land the biggest one. But wouldn’t you know, fate had other plans.

            After an hour or so of not getting a bite, they decided there must not be any fish there so they moved to another promising spot. After casting till their arms were sore, they realized the only bites they had got were from mosquitos. They packed up and went to another location, then another, and a few more after that, without having any success. The morning was long gone, and the afternoon had passed, and the sun was inching its’ way lower in the sky and the shadows were growing longer out upon the waters. Neither man had any quit in them, but they had promised their wives they wouldn’t get home too late, but they knew their trip was nearing its’ end.  It was a quiet ride home, neither of them had much to say. They couldn’t share their recollections of the monsters that got away or brag who’s fish fought the hardest. After a long quiet drive, Joe dropped Devon off and proceeded on to his home.

            Once home, both their wives greeted them and welcomed them home with supper waiting on the table. Here is where this tale splits off in different directions and one might question if these men went together on the same trip. After sitting down to dinner, the usual conversation started with each of their wives asking how their trip went and if they had enjoyed themselves. Devon responded with a sharp humpphh sound and proceeded to recount his day

            I could have slept in, but instead, I got up at 4:30. Had to travel halfway around the world to get to this big mudhole Joe calls a good fishing spot. There wasn’t a fish in that entire lake. I lost my favorite lure in a tree, got eaten alive by mosquitos, and I’m pretty sure Joe sat on my lunch because my sandwich looked like a tortilla shell. The sun was in my eyes, the wind was so bad we couldn’t keep the boat stationary long enough to fish and I think the only good part of the whole trip was that we didn’t sink. You couldn’t pay me enough to do that again, and I really don’t want to talk about it anymore. I just want to eat and forget this day ever happened.

            Joe answered the same question by saying, it was an amazing day! I feel so relaxed and so thankful to God for allowing me to enjoy his wondrous creations. It was neat getting up so early and getting to see one of the most beautiful sunrises I have ever witnessed. I can’t even describe the breathtaking beauty and serenity of watching the sun come up on the water. No painter or picture could ever do it justice, to seeing it in person. We got to try out several spots on the lake and I do believe, each of them was more astounding than the one before. I am almost glad we didn’t catch any fish, that would have just spoiled the peace and quiet time we were blessed with. I had me a good long talk with the Lord and got some things cleared up with him that have been weighing on me for some time now. So, to answer your question, nothing could have made this day any more perfect except if you had been there with me.

            I thought these two went on the same trip together. How is this possible, for them to have such vastly different accounts of the same day? Perception and gratitude play a much greater role in our lives and our happiness than people give them credit. These men shared the same experience, but one possessed a grateful heart and his perception of the same day was black and white different. In the book of Acts 16:25-26, it recounts how Paul and Silas were in prison, and instead of viewing their circumstances through the eyes of the world and only seeing the negative side of their situation, they counted their trial as a blessing and sang praises unto God. Throughout the Bible, it gives accounts where people stood on their faith, believing God at his word when he tells us “All things work together for good to them that love God.” You might be thinking, yeah but these were great men of the Bible, what about me? How am I supposed to have that kind of faith?  None of these people were anything special before meeting Jesus, they were just ordinary people who did extraordinary things by using the power of faith. Read Philippians 4:11-13.

            Jesus changes people. He does not cover up the scratches and dents and throw on a new coat of paint. When you find God and allow him into your life and accept him as your savior, he doesn’t change you, he transforms you. That is what is meant as being re-born. You become a completely new creature in Christ. All the bad things you have done all the sins you have committed, are washed away by the blood Jesus sacrificed for you on the cross. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new.” Wecan take two promises away from this scripture (since every word of God is his promise), First, he says we are new creatures. God won’t hold something against you, that you didn’t do. That was the old man, not you. Second, All things become new, because you are viewing them through new eyes and a new heart. That will most definitely give you a different perception of things. Once you belong to the Lord, you see possibilities that simply did not exist before.

            If there are things in your life that are beating you or holding you down if you are unfulfilled in your life, or if you feel your whole life has been one big mistake and would love the chance to start over and get it right this time, or if you think you just need to make a change, why look for a band-aid, don’t turn to a temporary fix, and certainly don’t turn to something that only masks the pain for a short while. Trade your old life to God and receive a new one, that comes with guarantees and more added benefits, than I could possibly mention in this story. You no longer need to see the world through the eyes of negativism and defeat, God stands ready, willing, and able, to give you a brand new life in this world and in the hereafter. All that is holding you back is you. Or at least that is how I see it!

Scripture of The Day:    1 Corinthians 13:11

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”