Fishers in the Storm

Fishermen or fishers of men?

A downpour blanketed the river, yet the fishermen continued to fish from a boat near the shoreline. I had never taken photos during a whiteout but decided to do so at that moment.

After grabbing my camera and attaching the zoom lens, I returned to the glass sliders that showcase the river from the back of the house. One of the men was reeling in his catch. Quickly, I adjusted the camera settings and aimed.

Click. Click. Click.

As I viewed the digital images from the camera's LCD screen, my mind began to formulate my next blogpost. One about fishers of men in the storms of life.

All of us encounter storms. It’s not “if” we will experience trials and tribulations, but “when.” (James 1:2) Once on the other side of such circumstances, we see the trials for what they accomplished—our personal and spiritual growth. We are then able to help and lead others on how to journey through the curveballs thrown at them.

Jesus recognized such leadership qualities in a fisherman whom He encountered at the start of His ministry.

“And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:18-20 NKJV)

Peter was one of Jesus’ first disciples. Many stories describe him as a colorful character who most likely possessed the equally colorful vocabulary and mannerisms of those in the fishing trade. As he traveled with Jesus, he would have witnessed the Lord’s humility and sacrificial love on a daily basis. 

This former fisherman would stumble many times as his old nature became more like Christ’s. He would be tested, disciplined and refined. And because of fear, he would even deny knowing Jesus. Not once, but three times. (John 18:16-18; 18:25-27) Through his human frailty, Peter would be an example to others that anyone can be forgiven and become a righteous man.

Peter would bring many people to Christ, particularly Jews like himself. However, the Gentiles were another matter. Like many Jewish people, Peter thought of Gentiles as common and unclean. Nevertheless, a vision from heaven would change his perspective. 

In that vision, Peter saw animals that Gentiles ate but that Jews avoided. A voice said, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat.” When Peter responded that he had never eaten anything common or unclean, the voice spoke again. “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” (Acts 10:12-15) Basically, God revealed to Peter that he was not to limit his ministry to Jewish people.

As a result of that divine revelation, Peter would keep company with Gentiles. He would teach that just like the Jews, “common” men also had access to a relationship with the Most High. Additionally, Peter paved the way for the Apostle Paul to focus his ministry on the Gentile nations. 

Yes, this former fisherman would stumbled yet become one of the pillars of the early Christian church. A fisher of men for the kingdom of God.

Have a blessed day!

Try a Little Kindness

Compassion goes a long way during these trying times.

After weeks of being quarantined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I needed to escape to a place where I could photograph the beauty of nature from somewhere other than outside the backdoor. A place where others wouldn't be.

I decided to drive to my dentist’s office for the photo op. I know, I know. A dental office is an unlikely place to whip out my camera, but there’s a reason why I chose to go there. 

During my last dental visit, I noticed finches on the other side of a window where I was sitting. The songbirds fluttered to a bird feeder in a garden just beyond the glass pane.

My dentist told me about a time when a National Geographic photographer sat on a bench in the garden taking pictures of those same birds. When I revealed my passion for photography, he invited me to stop by the garden anytime.

What better way to venture out during the quarantine than by going someplace where other people aren’t—outside a shutdown medical office.

As I took these photos, other birds visited the feeder, too. A cardinal. A bluejay. And even a non-avian species—squirrels.

Watching the various creatures congregate at the bird feeder brought to mind how humans come together to feel connected. To have fellowship with one another. 

However, socializing has been discouraged during these trying times. We’ve isolated and self-quarantined for the protection of ourselves and others. 

Such health practices occurred in ancient times, too. The Bible notes how people avoided those with leprosy in particular. Lepers lived outside of cities, usually alone. They were the social outcasts of their day. To add insult to injury, they were required to warn of their “uncleanliness” to anyone headed in their direction. (Leviticus 13:45-46 NKJV).

I experienced this same type of leeriness toward me as concern for the Coronavirus began to escalate. You see, about two weeks before my hospital began turning away nonessential personnel, acquaintances I encountered after each workday stepped away from me. I saw firsthand the anxiety in their eyes as I came into close proximity. Their worries centered on possible exposure to the virus through me. Their concerns were understandable since I’m the hospital’s newborn photographer and touch the babies as well as interact with their parents. Hence, I had a tiny glimpse into how lepers most likely felt when others avoided them back when Jesus walked the earth.

Jesus had no fear of men. He had no fear of government. (Matthew 22:15-22) And He certainly had no fear of diseases. Scripture documents one of His encounters with a man who was afflicted with leprosy.

“Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, ‘If You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.” (Mark 1:40-42 NKJV)

Take note of Jesus’ first reaction when this diseased man approached Him. He was “moved with compassion.” (Mark 1:41) Compassion drove our Lord to reach out and touch the leper in order to heal him. And just like Jesus, we have the opportunity to react with compassion as well. 

Yes, we need to adhere to social distancing, but let’s do so with kindness. Be patient with the elderly man shuffling down the supermarket aisle in front of you. Be courteous to the overwhelmed cashier who just handled a cash transaction with a patron not wearing gloves. And take time to acknowledge a stranger who may be quarantined by herself. 

Even though you may be unable to comfort someone with a human touch, reach out to that person with a smile. Your lips may be hidden behind a mask, yet your smile can still be seen through your eyes. 

Let’s all be kind and compassionate during these trying times.

Have a blessed day.