Who are the
Fisherman?
By John Drescher
Now it came to pass
that a group existed who called themselves fishermen.
And lo, there were many fish in the water all around.
And the fish were hungry,
Week after week, month after month, and year after year
these who called themselves fishermen met to talk about
their call to fish, the abundance of fish, and how they
might go about fishing. Year after year they carefully
defined what fishing means, defended fishing as an
occupation, and declared that fishing is always to be a
primary task of fishermen.
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 discuss fishing, promote fishing, and hear
about all the ways of fishing such as the new fishing
equipment, the fish calls, and any new bait.
In addition to meeting regularly, they organized a board
to send out fishermen to other places where there were
many fish. All the fishermen seemed to agree that what
was needed was a board which could challenge fishermen
to be faithful in fishing.
Large training centers were built whose original and
primary purpose was to teach fishermen how to fish. Over
the years courses were offered on the needs of fish, the
nature of fish, where to find fish, and how to approach
and feed fish. Those who taught had doctorates in
fishology. But the teachers did not fish. They only
taught fishing.
And those who were sent out to fish did exactly as those
who sent them. They formed groups and special meetings
to define fishing, to defend fishing, and to declare how
important fishing was. They talked about the great need
for fishing. They prayed much that many fish might be
caught. They analyzed the fish and discussed what is
necessary in order to catch fish. But one thing they did
not do. They did not fish.
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 every day.
They received the ridicule of some who made fun of their
fishermen’s club and the fact that they claimed to be
fishermen yet never fished.
Imagine how hurt some were, when one day a person
suggested that those who don’t catch fish are not really
fishermen. Is a person a fisherman if he never catches a
fish?
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