Fish

We are having some work done to update my parents house at the bay as it is on the market and needs quite a few repairs...Yesterday I went down to check on the painters....they work from 7 to 7 and had made great progres..and the night before when they had stopped for the day they went fishing on the pier and proudly showed me their catch that was iced down in their igloo...Well, it was lunchtime and I looked out the window and saw them all sitting around a big oak tree....it ends up that they had cleaned those fish and were having a fish fry in the break of their day....and I was invited to join them. Too sweet...but I declined giving them a chance to enjoy their fellowship without interference.

But as I reflected on that on the way home, it ocurred to me that they had found joy in the middle of work..they sought it out. They worked hard and at days end found joy in the peacefullness of fishing...and then carried that joy on in the following day to make a lunch party out of their catch. They worked hard...but they balanced that work out with fishing....and fellowship.

I thinl too many times we get caught up with the responsibilities...and forget to balance out lives out with fellowship and fishing for joy. What is it that you do so love to do and that brings you great joy? We all have different answers but how often do we seek to set out and not only find that joy but be an active participant in it? Especially in the simple things of life that enrich our lives and bring joy just by... what we see or what we read or who we are with. Looking at Jesus' life....and the way he worked it was in simplicity...simplicity of stories, of life, of relationships. He made time for interaction with people...he was interrrested and he cared about others....and cared about being with others...That is what gave him such joy...but his greatest JOY was in serving His father.

When I look at things that give me joy....I do have to say that when I am talking about Jesus or telling a story that he clearly has navigated in my life...it does bring joy to my heart. I can not even imagine how joyful he was in speaking first hand of the blessings and promises and rewards that come from choosing to believe in him, and trust in HIm and walk with him. His joy too was in the fishing and then in the fellowship that came as a result of the fishing.

And that joy is not exclusive...it is inclusive. We just have to make time to be a part of His life and let him be a part of ours. It was a big oak tree that they sat around....just imagine sitting around a big oak tree on a beautiful day visiting with Jesus....taking time off of work just for a while to settle in for a chunk of peace that resends right down to the core of your soul. It is available to each of us if we only seek it.

We might find joy in expensive ventures and well planned activities but the greatest joy that we can have is to truly learn from the greatest fisherman of all...Jesus, l the true joy of fishing for men on His behalf....and sharing in the fellowship that follows.

We all know this story...but note the first line: Have the people sit down....it is when we are sitting that we are resting...and at ease. And it is when we are at ease and we are quiet that the thoughts that Jesus puts in our hearts and minds that are able to be noticed. Just sit for a few minutes....Jesus will feed your soul...and when it time to get up again...you will be encouraged by His words, strengthened by His peace, and infused by His joy. And you too will want to share what has been given to you...in other words be the fishers of men that Christ has called us to be....out of love and joy not just out of obedience.
John 6:10-11
Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of themJesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

It takes time for sure...but we have to be willing to set aside our appointment books, our computers, our phones, and our to do list.....long enough to allow
Jesus to come sit on our blanket under the oak tree and give us rest...and cover us with His peace and fill us with His Joy. It is not something that comes without a battle....for we have to fight to push the sometimes loud and sometimes subtle distractions aside...to get to that place under the tree...and we have to experience before we truly understand the significance of it....and turning off the motor that generates so most of our activities is not something that many of us are comfortable with. But peace and joy are not found in hurry up situations of productive advances. They are found when we slow down and find that time to go fishing for JOY.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the reminder that peace and joy are there for the finding. I just have to slow down and seek your face for that is where they are found. Amen
--
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!

cjodeit@gmail.com
www.cathyjodeit.com

The blog link below has all devotionals from the beginning of the year:

http://simplygod-cathy.blogspot.com/