God is Indescribable - a Master Angler!

 

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV).

 

You may have read in previous posts of my love of the sport of fly-fishing. I have enjoyed many different locations seeking rainbow trout with my fly-rod. Anyone who has experienced catching a rainbow can tell you about all the excitement that can unfold when you hook one. The jumps and tail-walking across the surface of the water are exhilarating! It’s even greater when you hook a fish much bigger than one you planned for. The picture I’ve included today was taken in Tennessee with one of the rainbows I caught. It was a very good one, though I did catch a bigger one in Alaska. My face certainly reflects my joy at this accomplishment.

 

An angler—that is, a person who fishes with a rod and line—typically uses the equipment they need for catching a particular kind of fish. To catch a medium-size fish (like a trout), for example, you need tackle for that size of fish. But sometimes with that gear you can hook a much larger fish (like a salmon). And when that happens, chaos can break loose. The reel will spin furiously, unloading the line as the large fish swims powerfully away. Usually then you’ll have just two options: to let the fish run, and hopefully tire it out so that you can catch it; or simply to cut the line and let the fish go. A determined angler may decide to hold on, skillfully using the rod and line through a long tug of war and gradually reeling the fish in.

 

In some ways our relationship with God can be like that. We might be thinking we are free to do as we please, but God can “hook” us, and even though we might try to outrun and overpower him, he will never cut the grace-line or count us as a lost cause. He’ll fight for us and battle with us—and when all is said and done, he gives us the freedom to live a new and full life that is far beyond our imagining! In that way, He is a Master Angler!