Can fishermen feel the tide, tugging, pulling, telling them that it is time to come in or go out to sea?  Why did the Lord go to these men, steeped in natural understanding, having made there living from the lake or ocean?  What unique gifts or understanding did they possess which made them the best possible choice for disbursing the Truth of the Gospel?  Is discipleship really similar to fishing, using your natural senses to “sound” the waters for bounty, testing what lay beneath the surface with some sort of spiritual understanding and mastery of practical application?  What made fishermen and shepherds the appropriate example of what it meant to be a servant of the Most High God?  Perhaps it was there attentiveness or their dedication to duty or maybe even their willingness to deal practicably with those forces seeking to limit their success.  It is not that I am confused but rather attempting to inject some questioning surrounding this subject.

These men and women understood specifically that their blessings came from God.  They had a unique understanding of the impacts of changes in climate, topography, threats both natural and man made.  They uniquely understood that a man could do everything in his power to become prosperous, effective and successful and still come up empty.  Yet they knew that personal attention to detail and work ethic were an essential part of God’s Blessings.  They knew that man could not just sit by the roadside or keep his boats in port and simply wait for the Blessings to come.  They understood that tending the flock or casting of nets is a man doing “his” part of the successful process of being Blessed by God.  They understand specifically the difference between “works” and blessing and knew how to properly balance the tasks of life with faith in Christ.  They also knew, as a farmer knows that every worker is essential to the final successes of the whole.  Knowing that the Lord chose these people specifically for their natural discernment it is also natural that the enemy would try and reduce their respect in the process of human health.  That is why it is a lowly thing now to be shepherd, fisherman or farmer, when in fact they are blessed with a unique understanding of God’s intention.

These people also knew to test the wind for coming changes making it necessary to take action.  The tide, the wind, dangers and the lack of resources caused the to react intuitively to make changes so as to avoid calamity.  We as Christians share this discernment, as we have the scriptures telling us to remain vigilant, “on watch”, discerning, ready, watching, waiting, preparing for His return.  We too are to be testing the wind and the weather for changes in the tide.  Such changes are palpable now and if you are not feeling the tug of the tide upon your heart and spirit, then you should be concerned.  The storm looms just beyond the mountain and when it sweeps down the valleys it will come swiftly, not leaving time for preparation after the clouds of rain arrive.  The fall approaches, the leaves darkens and wind freshens against our skin telling that change is come.  Applying the practical and natural understanding of a fisherman, shepherd or farmer we would all be taking action right now that I do not see Christians taking.  What then are we to think if we do not see obedient hearts in the Body of Christ?

Oh, Blessed Father, awake our hearts, minds, feet and hands so that we may take necessary action to prepare for the coming storm, danger and change.  Let us sleep no longer, shatter our silence if necessary so that we may slumber no longer as there is much work to be done.  Give us a heart for preparation and attendance, to that sheep may be fed, storehouses filled and fish brought in to dry for the coming winter.  Let us collect the pure waters so that our thirst may be quenched for eternity.  Write Your Word upon our hearts so that when asked righteousness pours forth from the wellspring of our spirit.  Your Will Be Done.  Christ the King of Glory.