Christians, two men are fishing. One is on the dock; he simply has one pole, one hook, and one piece of bait – the simple earthworm. He throws in his line and waits. The other man is in a boat. He has multiple rods, tackle boxes, all sorts of fancy lures. He puts in a couple lines and then begins casting and reeling one rod repeatedly. If I asked you, “Who’s the better fisherman?” What would you say?
Some people could argue the man with all the equipment, He obviously has accumulated more fishing “stuff” so He must know more and be better. I would answer the same scenario by asking a question, “Who caught a fish?” If a fish represents finding your calling or the will of God for your life, then you are only successful if you catch it. The problem is, as Christians, we can sometimes look at ministers or ministries and see a bunch of flashy lures, big tackle boxes, a boat, and we assume that they must be great at what they do. We also look at the small, simple ministers and ministries and can get in the mindset that they are not “there yet.” They still have a ways to go.
I do not want you to think that all big ministries are bad and that all small ministries are good. There are some people that build up big ministries, they started with a worm and a hook and ended up on a fishing boat with a whole crew. There are also people that inherit boats, ministries, tackle and lures. Their father, grandfather, or great grandfather could have been the fisherman, and they are trying to fill those waders. We are all called to something, and if we find out what that is, we will be fulfilling the will of God. Never judge a ministry by size or appearance, because God judges by the heart.
God does not look at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart and He is pleased with obedience, not sacrifice, so we need to be more minded like Him. I know for myself, I feel that God has me sitting on the shore, a pole, a line, and waiting. I see others doing stuff, but I know God has told me to wait. I wonder if I am in the right spot? If I casted out too far, or not far enough, it is tempting to fidget, to mess around, to see if there is something I can do to better my chances.
However, I know, just like fishing, serving God takes faith and patience. Faith that you have done what you’ve done with what you have and patience for results to manifest. You never know how close a fish is to your line, how close you are to seeing that line to get pulled and it happens!
Christians, if you know God has you where He wants you, If you are doing all He leads you to, have the faith and patience to catch His plan, His will, and His way for your life. It is the best indication that you are a successful fisher for Christ, In Jesus Name, Amen.
But the Lord said to Samuel, Look not on his appearance or at the height of his stature, for I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. I Samuel 16:7 (AMP)
Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, to heed better than the fat of rams. I Samuel 15:22 (NIV)
The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God’s word]. Lamentations 3:25 (AMP)
Rejoice and exult in hope, be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 (AMP)
written and posted by Daniel Poggensee | 2020
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