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We went fishing again ...

We went fishing again ... and learnt some life lessons.
Easter Weekend my wife and one son went to a training camp, so my other boys and I went fishing on Saturday. Being Easter Weekend we got shown away at a resort because it was full and at the next resort we got place in the bundu (bush).
It really was not a good spot to fish because of the tall grass on the riverbank, water hyacinths drifting over the lines and the build up of algae (like pea soup).  We brought several kinds of bait and flavourants and were sure that we are going to catch something.
Diagonally across from us there were some fishermen camping. Obviously they were there for the weekend. And they were striking and pulling out fish regularly. They were casting towards our side of the riverbank, about 30m from where we were. So we were hopeful. But we caught nothing, some good bites, lots of bait lost, one line lost when Hedrik cast right across the river and ran out of line unexpectedly. Quite frustrating! We tried everything we knew in the book, different baits, different flavours, different techniques, we even casted to close where the others were catching their fish, still nothing!
At one stage I was sitting away from the others and in frustration I asked the Lord: "Now what? We have fishing rods, good equipment, different baits, we are working hard and we still are not catching anything, whereas the people on the bank across from us are catching a lot of fish."
And the Lord just said: "You are not catching on the right side!"
I was a bit frustrated about the answer. Of course we are not on the right side! We are in the bundu, right across from where the people are camping on lawn, and pulling out fish regularly. It is clear that we are not on the right side!
And He said: "That is not the right side either, you are not catching on the right side."
Well, what an answer. The more I thought about it the more I think about the story after Jesus' crucifixion when the disciples went out to fish. They worked hard the whole evening but caught nothing. In the morning a voice called from the shore and told them to put the net out on the right side and they will find some fish.

It did not make sense, but they did, and caught so many fish that the net nearly tore. So they listened, and caught a multitude of fish, not because of their skills, or their hard work, but because they listened to the Lord. This is the lesson, listen, do not work hard on your own, do not trust in your own plans, listen and execute the best plan of all.


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