With a cool morning breeze in my face, I looked out over the horizon and watch the Autumn sun rise. A shrimp boats silhouette moved across the cinnamon sky as the gulls hung low behind it. I sometimes wonder if anyone else is looking at the beautiful early morning portraits God creates. It gives me great pleasure in knowing that He allows me the chance to see what heavenly depictions He has instore for me, and for allowing me to tell people about His awesome wonders. Sometimes, it is easy to get caught up in the moment, and just admire what God has created.
The targeted fish for the day was tarpon. It had been a few years since I had seen one of these powerful game fish, so the thought of catching one was exciting to say the least. I anchored my boat just off a sandbar that ran out past the demarcation line. A deep channel ran off to my right. I settled into my boat and reached for my favorite rod. The bait for the day was live crab. One needs experience and finesse in handling one of these finger pinching crustaceans. After carefully hooking the crab, I stepped to the bow of the boat and cast my bait out on the sandbar. I placed the rod in its holder and settled back in my seat. Now the hard part of the day set in -- waiting on the bite.
To entice one of these tarpon into biting, I broke up a few extra crabs I got from the local seafood market and tossed them over the side, letting the current take them out over the sandbar. The problem with doing this is that it draws other species of fish from the deep channel as well. It wasn't long before the drag on my reel started to click. I eased over and slowly picked up my rod out of its holder and sat down to ready myself for the fight. Wham! This fish nearly jerked the rod out my hands. I noticed one thing wrong in fighting this massive fish. He wasn't shaking his head. My line stretch from the tug, as he headed for deeper water. I fought this beast for about thirty minutes before I got him to the side of the boat. It was a seven foot lemon shark. Well, since fishing for sharks wasn't on the agenda for the day, I reached out with my knife and carefully cut my line. Feeling the joy of freedom, the shark whipped his tail across the surface of the water splashing the salty brine in my face and mouth. I guess it was his way of thanking me for letting him go.
Whew! I was tired after that battle. Rigging my line for a new bait gave me the break I was looking for. I cautiously baited my hook and stepped to the bow of my boat. Off to my right the surface of the water boiled. A tarpon streaked across the surface and with a mighty surge cleared the water by six feet. Trying to entice a bite, I cast my bait towards him. I began reeling in fast so that the crab skimmed across the surface of the water. I made another cast as far as I could and waited. No luck! I eased the rod back in the its holder, sat back in my seat, and waited with anticipation.
It wasn't long before my rod bent and the drag on my reel sang out loudly. I jumped up and grabbed it, carefully taking it from its holder. Holding on with both hands this great king leaped out of the water about a hundred feet in front of me shaking his head trying to rid the hook from his mouth. I felt the adrenaline rush through my veins as the power from this great game fish set in. I not only asked the Lord for help, but thanked Him as this magnificent creature leaped again and again. I fought this master of the ocean for about an hour. My arms were feeling the strain from the tug of fighting this awesome creature. He came up on his side about five feet from my boat. He starred at me with his large eyes as if to say I can keep going. With a hesitant thought of keeping up the fight, I cautiously reached out and cut my line. He sank slowly down into the murky water. I sat back in my seat exhausted from the fight. Out in front of my boat this great king made one final leap, as if to say he had won. I tipped my hat and said with an exhausted breath, "You win". I slowly gathered my gear, pulled the anchor, and headed for shore. On the way back I thanked the Lord for the wonderful day and the rare chance to catch and release one of his great creations.
In Romans 1:17 it says, "For in the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written": "The righteous will live by faith."
Faith is not a weak emotion, but is strong confidence to rely on ones relationship with our Lord and Savour Jesus Christ. If we stay focused on Him, we will grow faithfully as well as spiritually. Then when we call on His name, He will recognize and respond to our prayers. It is an inspiration to pray in His name. If we have Gods assurance behind us, His strength becomes ours. Always seek God with a humble heart, ready to serve Him. Narrow your focus and interest to rely solely on His Word and Glorify Him in all you do. May God bless you all.
