Common Sense

Parable of the Fishless Fishermen

By John M. Drescher

Now it came to pass that a group existed who called themselves fishermen. And lo, there were many fish in the waters all around. In fact, the whole area was surrounded by streams and lakes filled with fish. And the fish were hungry. Week after week, month after month, year after year, those who called themselves fishermen met in meetings and talked about their call to go fishing.

Continually they searched for new and better methods of fishing, and for new and better definitions of fishing. They sponsored costly nationwide and worldwide congresses to promote fishing and hear about new methods of fishing. Enthusiastic lectures were given on the latest fishing equipment, fish calls and bait.

These fishermen built large, beautiful buildings called "Fishing Headquarters." Their plea was that everyone should be a fisherman and every fisherman should fish. One thing they didn't do, however, was fish.

All the fishermen agreed that what was needed was a board which would challenge fishermen to be faithful in fishing. The board was formed by those who had the greatest vision and courage to speak about fishing, to define fishing, and to promote the idea of fishing in faraway streams and lakes where many other fish of different colors lived.

Large elaborate and expensive training centers were built whose purpose was to teach fishermen how to fish. Those who taught had doctorates in physiology. But the teachers did no fish. They only taught fishing.

Some invested much time in studying and traveling, learning the history of fishing and seeing faraway places where the founding fathers had great fishing experiences in centuries past. They lauded the faithful fishermen of past years who had handed down the idea of fishing.

Many who felt the calls to be fishermen responded. They were commissioned and sent to fish. And they went to foreign lands to teach fishing.

Now it's true that many of the fishermen sacrificed and put up with all kinds of difficulties. Some lived near the water and bore the smell of dead fish. They received the ridicule of some who made fun of their fishermen's clubs. They anguished over those who were not committed enough to attend the weekly meetings to talk about fishing. After all, were they not following the Master who said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men?"

Imagine how hurt some were when one day, a person suggested that those who didn't catch fish were really not fishermen, no matter how much they claimed to be. Yet it rang true. Are we really fishermen if year after year we never catch a fish? Are we following if we aren't fishing?

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