December 15, 2020 – Click here to listen
Yesterday I took a couple of first timers sword fishing. It was a beautiful day and we quickly covered the 35 miles to the swordfish grounds. We saw a large school of porpoise on the way and it was fun watching them leaping through the water.
Sword fishing can be really boring. We fish in depths of 1500 feet to 1700 feet and drift with the Gulf Stream for a few miles and then bring the rig up and go back and do it again. With that much line out the bite is all but imperceptible. One friend described it as trying to catch a fish out of a goldfish bowl off the Empire State Building. The tip of the rod barely twitches a couple of times and it is vitally important to see it so the hook setting process can immediately be implemented. Of course to see the tiny movement, one must stare at it for hours. Staring at a rod tip for six or seven hours is tedious, take my word for it.
Those who are experienced in it love to fish for these beautiful fish. They understand that to catch one is something that will not be forgotten anytime soon. It is the most complex and difficult fishing there is and when you score you realize you have done something. They are big and fight very hard, sometimes requiring several hours to land a big one and it is a tremendous trophy.
But first timers are bored out of their minds after just a few minutes. They want instant gratification and have no patience to put in the time necessary to catch one of these trophies. The top daytime sword fisherman in the country reports his catch at approximately 50%. This is someone who goes on 300 trips a year. Average sword fishermen like me boast a smaller score. Often if impatient first time anglers do not get one after they go one time, they give up never to try it again.
I don’t think it would be nearly as fun or special if we could go out there and catch one every time we went with little effort. Veteran fisherman and hunters understand this. We must patiently put in our time and when we do finally score a trophy, it is a lifetime thrill never to be forgotten.
As I was thinking of this today it reminded me of prayer. Many of us want instant gratification. In fact our society is built upon it. The battle cry is, “I want the world and I want it NOW!” God was not created for our enjoyment; we were created for His. He loves us and wants the best for us and as hard as it may be for some of us to believe sometimes, we don’t know what is best for us.
I pray every day and sometimes the answer is yes and sometimes no. Over the years I have learned to simply accept the no’s in stride and cherish the yes’s when I get one. If I receive a no, I realize that often it is not an out and out “NO,” but more of a “Not now.” That is why I do not give up asking.
I believe that one sign of having deep abiding faith is when we reach a point of accepting the ups and downs in life. It is trusting God and telling Him I know you’ve got this Lord.
Like sword fishing if we are persistent in prayers and keep working hard at it and putting in the time, we will reap the benefit. This is not to say God doesn’t answer immediately. Again comparing it to fishing there are those times when as soon as our bait hits bottom a giant swordfish takes it and the battle of a lifetime is on. Chances are good that we will eat well that night. Last night it was spaghetti and I gave the few tunas we caught coming in to one of the first timers who likes it.
Matthew 7:7
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”