Staying in the Harbor

Staying in the Harbor

Matthew 4:19 KJV
Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

     My late oldest brother and I would often drive to Seabrook on the NH coast and go out on an all day Haddock boat.  Our favorite skipper had a boat with powerful engines so he would stay behind at the dock until the others had left and sometimes picked up last minute fishermen looking to go out fishing.  While we waited, I would stand on the deck watching the activity around the harbor.  The sun would begin to lighten up the sky and the gulls would be wheeling over our heads looking endlessly for food. The water seemed alive as it beat on the rocks occasionally sending a curtain of spray into the air.
     The deep- throated growl of marine diesel engines filled the air and plumes of smoke rose from exhaust pipes.  Our skipper and his mate would be busy checking bait and gear while the other fishing boats turned towards the open sea and left behind clouds of diesel smoke.  Finally our skipper would cast off the lines and we would head for the misty horizon ourselves, quickly catching and passing the slower boats.  Spray would fly up from the bow of the boat cutting through the water  We were heading out to deeper water where the fish are waiting.
     But the small harbor we had left was still clogged with boats - luxury yachts and sailboats that sat in the water still tied up to the docks.  They wait in silence for a weekend visitation; perhaps a short sail in calm waters or a picnic lunch on deck in the sun.  They’re never really being used as they were designed to be used.
   It was sad to see those beautiful boats just sitting there at the dock.  Rust and corrosion would slowly creep up on them.  Occasionally the owners would polish the brass work and swab the decks clean, but most of the time they were left to sit there.
   I think of that harbor in the morning mist and am reminded of some churches I’ve been in.  There are a few who would go out fishing but most just sit there.  A few will experience the thrill of landing “the big one” but most will only trade fishing stories of the one that got away.  A few will know the clean air of the open sea but most will remain firmly tied up to the dock, thinking the stuffy air of the harbor with its occasional cool breeze is “as good as it gets.”
   It’s sad to see how few are part of Jesus’ working fleet.  So many are just weekend visitors to the harbor, looking for a good time while just sitting on the deck.  The harbor is supposed to be a place of refuge, not a place to spend all your time.  I would have felt cheated if I’d paid for a ticket on the boat and we just sat there fishing in the harbor.  Most of the fish were out in the deep water and the fishing is much better out there.  There are hazards, I’ve hooked a few sand sharks in my time, but also I’ve pulled in some beauties.  How to describe the thrill of the tug of the line, setting the hook, fighting the fish to the surface, then seeing it in the net.  And to a Christian, how to describe the thrill of seeing an unsaved person respond to the Gospel and bow their heads and pray the sinner’s prayer.
   Fish are what fishing is all about.  It ain’t about the equipment or the boat, it’s about the fish.  Church ain’t about the carpet or the overhead projector, it’s about Christ and bringing the Gospel to the sinners.
   Throw off the lines and set out to sea and let your line down into the water.  You never know what may be waiting for you.

Stephen Cram                            October 30, 2011                      Colossians 2:8

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.  Colossians 2:8