Fishing, Flashfloods and Faith

As many of you know, I like to fly-fish. Fly-fishing is a great way to catch fish, especially in the spring when insects are hatching over the water. The problem I most often have to contend with, however, is the wind. I try to plan properly, checking the weather patterns and wind speed, but it’s almost impossible to get it right every time. Fly-fishing tackle is so light that a good brisk wind can play havoc with the lure and line. I’ve been in the stream when the fish were teeming there were so many in the water. But the wind kept me from accurately placing my fly in the water and as a result I didn’t catch many, if any fish at all. If you fly-fish, you know it’s pretty frustrating when things like that happen. You’ve probably taken a day off to hit the streams but instead of catching trout, you end up losing flies and breaking your line. None of us like to have our plans interrupted by the weather.

There are some things worse than heavy winds too. I was once in the stream when I heard a rumbling like a train coming from up the mountain. As I looked up, a huge wall of water was moving down the river. I got out of the water just in time for a surge of about 4 feet to pass by… Evidently, the snow and ice had melted up on the mountain and broke thru a pond dam. The result was a flash flood. Talk about a scary moment. If I’d have been in the water when the flash flood reached me, I would have been “Fish Bait” (pardon the pun). Fortunately, however, I was not swept down stream… When I realized the trouble, I headed for higher ground. I’m glad God wasn’t finished with me yet.

How many times have we experienced a “flash flood” of problems in life? They often come with little or no warning. And although we try to plan and make provision for the challenges that face us, trying to control or avoid problems is about as futile as controlling the wind. Sometimes life is going to be great – blue skies and no wind or rain. But at other times, the dam will break and a flash-flood of torrential trials and tribulations will invade our lives. When ever we realize we’re in trouble or headed for trouble, the key to survival is to “run to higher ground” – run to Jesus. The truth is, He allows these flash floods into our lives for our good. And He won’t let us become fish bait.

Once the disciples were on the sea with Jesus and a storm arose. They were very much afraid, and thought their little boat was surely going to sink. When they found Jesus, He was asleep in the bottom of the boat. They woke Him up rather abruptly and He said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. (Matthew 8:26) The reality was that even though the disciples may have been afraid, they had no cause to be. Jesus was in the boat with them – do you really think the ship was going to sink? Of course not! He wasn’t about to let that happen. But at the moment, the disciples didn’t think about that. Their hearts were gripped with fear. They allowed the troubles of their present situation to overwhelm the truth of God’s sovereignty and His protection of His children. When Jesus said, “O you of little faith…” I don’t believe He was rebuking the disciples. I rather believe He was sort of chuckling to Himself, like a dad might chuckle at a child. He was saying, “O if you only knew how much I love you and will protect you… You don’t see it yet, but I won’t ever let you down… I’ve got it under control.” Remember that the next time a flash flood of trouble breaks loose in your life.    

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