FISHER OF MEN

It was Sunday morning and I was attending church with my family.  All eight of us were sitting on the bench like little birds, perched on a telephone line, waiting to hear messages of inspiration.  The speaker was a young father who was the CEO for a large computer company and his talk was on the power of sacrifice.  

He proceeded by explaining that sacrifice is the process by which one gives up something good to get something better.  Then he relayed a personal experience he had while vacationing with his family on an island off the Pacific coast.  He wanted his children (who he thought were caught up in material things) to have a humbling experience.  He rented a hut in a remote village for the last few days of their family vacation and moved his family into the harsh living conditions.  His intent was to provide an experience that would impact the lives of his children.

The conditions in the village were extremely primitive, compared to the living standards his family was accustomed to and he was eager to see how well they would adjust.  His children spent their time playing with the other children in the village and quickly integrated into the culture.  At that point, he was unaware that he was the one that would have a humbling experience. 

The circumstances were impoverished.  The hut consisted of a canvas floor and thin mats that were used at night for beds.  There was a primitive ferry that provided rides to a larger neighboring community and marketplace.  The venders sold their goods in the marketplace to earn a modest living.  

One morning, he noticed several fishing boats heading out to sea.  Later in the day, he saw a single boat return.  He watched as the lone fisherman sold his catch for a few cents a pound to the villagers.  An hour later the other fishing boats returned with empty vessels.  Intrigued, he was told that the other fishermen had taken their fish to the marketplace for a higher profit.  

Being a successful businessman himself, he approached the lone fisherman.  He proceeded to convince him how much more money he would make by selling his goods in the marketplace. The fisherman agreed, thanked him for his advice, but the very next day he was back at the dock selling his fish. 

The business man was insulted by the fisherman's unwillingness to take his counsel.  After all, he was the CEO of a very successful company and he knew how to increase revenue.  He marched down to the shoreline and once again approached the fisherman. He asked him why he continued selling his fish on the beach when he could multiply his profits in the marketplace.  Again he explained that he could increase his income and raise the standard of living for his family, if he would only listen to a few simple principles.

The fisherman nodded his head kindly and it appeared that he fully understood the lesson being taught.  The CEO believed he had finally gotten through to this man and was certain that he wouldn't see him on the shore again, but he was wrong! The very next day the fisherman was surrounded by villagers at the dock.

No wonder these people have nearly nothing, they're idiots, he thought to himself as he ran down to the ocean's shore.  This time there was frustration in his voice.  He expressed that by not taking the fish to market, the fisherman was robbing himself and his family of a better life.  He asked, "Why don't you understand this?"

"Maybe you don't understand." The old fisherman replied.  "The people of this village are poor, they can't afford the prices in the marketplace.  If I don't sell my fish here, they will have nothing to eat.  I made a promise to the Lord, that I would watch over his children, if He would watch over mine.  He has never let me down.  I will be at this dock every day for the rest of my life! This is my way of giving back for the blessings I have received."  

The CEO was taken aback by the genuine sincerity in the fisherman's countenance and he realized this wise man was indeed living a higher law.  The fisherman had mastered the art of sacrifice and understood that by giving up something good, he was indeed getting something better.  

Maturing spiritually provides the understanding that less is more and that having money doesn't always equate to success.  There's a great lesson to be leaned from the fisherman and his ability to magnify his potential.  He used sacrifice to build a life of service and he was continually blessed for his endeavors.  He will have no hesitation to stand before God, for he truly became the fisher of men.   Linda Sumner Urza, One fine day.