I would like to tell you my heroism in the pursuit and capture of the lost ring was remembered and appreciated to this day. The marriage the ring represented dissolved less than a year later, and the memory of the recovery isn’t near so significant or relevant at this point in time. I wished and prayed my uncle and aunt would’ve pursued each other with the same intensity and conviction I pursued their ring. This is how Christ pursues us, and it’s His desire we pursue His desires. Pursuing Kingdom matters and people with the heart of Christ is the most significant and relevant thing we can do. The need to do so is greater now than ever. (Pause for Thought: “Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand. This too is a grievous evil: As a man comes, so he departs, and what does he gain, since he toils for the wind?”—Ecclesiastes 5:15-16 What are you pursuing right now? How relevant and lasting is it to you and your relationships? Is God part and result of your pursuit? How does knowing God wants to give you your desire, so you can pursue it, capture it, and leave it help you with your decision making?)
It started innocently enough. I had just beaten the rain to the dock and entered the fish cleaning house with my morning’s catch, when the other two entered through the spring-hinged screen door. The typical fishing pleasantries were shared between the three of us—“Those are wall-hangers where we come from.” I asked where they were from, and they said the Monroe area. I was grateful for their compliment and congratulated them on the number of fine panfish lying on the cleaning table; however, my spirit said there was more to these two gentlemen than the smell of fish and rain-soaked outerwear. (Pause for Thought: “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear’.”—Luke 1:41-42. Have you ever sensed there was more to a meeting with a stranger than what was happening through your physical senses? To what did you attribute it?)
I could tell they sensed more to me, as well. The questions started becoming more personal and the explanations more detailed. Then it finally happened. The question and explanation we all were waiting to hear—“Are you a Christian? What does Christ mean to you?” The younger of us stated he had recently, within the last couple of years, surrendered his heart to Jesus and enjoys cooking for his church’s wild game dinner outreach. The older of us declared he was the retired pastor of a church in Monroe, and it was he who led the younger to faith in Christ. The worship began. Our hunting and fishing adventures took second-place to the miracles Jesus had wrought in our lives and how the Holy Spirit was changing us daily. (Pause for Thought: “It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.”—3 John 3-6 When is the last time you were doing something menial or mundane only to have it turn into a worship-fest? Who was with you?)
I know our meeting was not by chance, and I know the hobby of fishing lends perfectly to my soul’s sense of the Holy Spirit when I meet fellow fishermen. Throughout the gospels, Jesus turned an ordinary outing on a lake or shore into a worship service. I know he does it with the many talents and hobbies He bestows upon His children. For the disciples who were fishermen and became fishers-of-men, no morning catch would ever be the same. (Pause for Thought: “I’m going out to fish,’ Simon Peter told them, and they said, ‘We’ll go with you’. So they got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that is was Jesus. He said, ‘Friends, haven’t you any fish? Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.”—John 21:3-6,14. Has Jesus used your gifts or talents to make your spirit and soul aware of His presence and/or His presence in others? Have you thanked God for these gifts and talents and expressed your worship for the times He encounters you in your efforts?)
He guzzled his orange juice in a minute and gave me a large, appreciative, smile. He shook my hand and left the shop waving good-bye through the window. My spirit was immediately filled with the image of the scripture, “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’.” (Pause for Thought: “On the day I shall act’, says the Lord Almighty, ‘They will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as the father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not’.”—Malachi 3:17-18 How important is it, for us, to remember and recognize God? How do you remember and recognize Him? How often do you do so? How important, to you, is it for God to remember and recognize you? What will He remember you for thinking and doing?)
I often ask my wife and son if I look like Jesus to them. I don’t mean in physical appearance, and they don’t think as such. If I have looked like Jesus to them, it’s been in the way I gave. They don’t say I look like Jesus because I did my devotions, or taught a Sunday School class, or wrote an article. They say I look like Jesus if I gave encouragement to them or someone else, or if I gave to someone in ministry out of my pocket, or if I gave love and attention to an unlovable/unnoticeable, or even if I gave my story (testimony) to someone who didn’t know Jesus the way I do. Cowboys gave, and still give, me great pleasure to watch. My dad gave me a place (house) and position (physical) being on this earth. My heavenly Father gave me completeness in everything, including all time (eternity), to share it with Him. I think He is worth imitating. (Pause for Thought: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 2:5. How do you feel, emotionally, about living a life of sacrifice? How is Paul’s instruction to us in Romans different than the world’s instruction to us? What is happening and has happened when the world’s way is followed? What happened to you because Jesus lived a sacrificial life? Who will you imitate?)
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all God’s Children!
