Seven
My brother and I took my then 5 year old son David fishing in a little city park. We were told that the blue gill would do everything but bait the hook for you in order to get caught. It’s a fun place to take kids to fish because, while the fish are small, they’re easily caught and the kids’ squeals are wonderful to hear.
Under my brother’s expert guide, David began to catch fish - lot of fish. I pinched the worms in halves, baited the hooks while David learned to cast. My brother showed him where the fish were probably going to bite. David threw his line in and had caught, of all things, a crawfish. That lobster wannabe was hanging on his line looking surprised and freakishly angry. We wisely let it go. In no time at all David had caught 7 fish.
David was beginning to bask in his own glory and prowess as a fisherman and I thought it best to rein him in a bit. I told him, “It’s not how many fish you’re caught that’s important David. What’s important is that we’re here together having fun.”
After all, Father knows best.
My son giggled, “Well, I’ve caught 7 fish and you’ve only caught one. I’m having seven times as much fun as you, Daddy!”
He’s only five, he’s only five, remain calm; he’s only five.
I had no rejoinder to offer him so I concentrated on catching fish. Somehow I suddenly found myself getting caught up in something evil - fleshly competition. I bagged 2 more fish with that little snicker of his ringing like a gong in my head.
After a few minutes my bruised fatherly ego began to heal and my carnal competitive streak was put down, and I thought, “This is too stupid.” We had a fishing net with us and David has always wanted to catch a fish in it. I waited till I had another bite and cried out for David to grab the net ‘cause Moby was on the line. He “helped” me bring in a good-sized blue gill. I reeled it in and he snagged it in the net. He did a little victory dance on the dock holding our trophy. In that moment it was I who was having seven times the fun.
Teamwork healed the rift between us and we caught an extra fish. Of all the things that happened that hazy Saturday morning, the fish that we caught together was my favorite. He even gives me credit for helping him.
Perhaps the church can learn a lesson here. It is fun to bring in a great harvest. Indeed, the Father is glorified when we bear much fruit. It’s ugly when we get into fleshly competition with our brothers and sisters in the Lord’s work. True unity only happened on that fishing dock when we laid down our self-interest and labored together in common purpose - catching the fish.
Perhaps we the Body of Christ could all excel as fishers of men - once we first become lovers of men.
Bryan Hupperts © 1998 -2009
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