NOW HEAR THIS, FISHERMEN

 Robert Hughes, art critic and author, has a new book, It’s titled, “A Jerk on One End” (Reflections of a mediocre fisherman).  Permit me, if you will, to share some of his observations and make a few comments of my own.

 Fishing largely consists of not catching fish; failure is as much a part of the sport as knee injuries are of football.  A dedicated fisherman doesn’t let this get him down, nor should it discourage us as Christians who have become fishers of men.  Sometimes our best efforts fail (I think of the apostles who toiled all night and took nothing.  I remember all of the preaching which Noah did, and yet only eight souls were saved by water).  A true fisherman keeps on fishing.  If he stays with it, he eventually catches fish.

 You are not bored by the absence of the spectacular.  Not many days are like Pentecost when 3,000 people repented and were baptized into Christ.  Nevertheless, keep on fishing.

 The fundamental experience of fishing consists of dropping a line into the unknown.  Who knows what the results might be?  It may be as it was in Thessalonica.  “And some of them were persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas; as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women” (Acts 17:4). 

I have never yet caught a little tunny or so much as hooked an albacore on a fly rod.  But next year will be different.  Fisherman retain their hope and keep on fishing.

 The angler must get up early.  There’s no time to waste.

 Study to be quiet.  “Likewise you wives, be submissive to your husbands, so that some, though they do not obey the word, may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives” (I Peter 3:1).

 The excitement of connecting with a fish is in proportion to the hours of tedium that surround it.  Is there any enjoyment or excitement greater than seeing that one you have taught and prayed for over many years come to Christ? 

Good fishing!  I hope you get your limit and then some.                                                                                                

John Gipson