Catch and release
Over Christmas I had the oportuntiy to read a powerful book, "Same Kind of Different As Me", it may have been the most powerful book I have ever read, it is a true story!!!. I could often only read ten or fifteen pages and have to walk away from the book as i was in tears.
The story is of three people from two different, radically different backgrounds, that the Lord brings together through the vision of a woman and the power of God. There is a poignant scene in this book where the two gentleman are having a discussion about friendship.
When we hear the words "catch and release" we often think of fishing. If we catch a fish that is undersized we then take it and put it back in the water or if we are simply fishing for the sport of it we take the fish and put it back in the water for another day. Either way we only have that fish in our possesion for a short time.
Going back to the discussion between the friends one man who has had a hard time in life and has never had a true friend, asks the other man, "Are you going to catch and release me?" In other words are you going to invest in me for a short time and then forget about me?, or are you and I going to be true friends that stick by one another?
I have thought alot about these words "catch and release". I began to think about some of the people God has placed in my path who I have not been in contact with for some time. I also thought about the people that are hard to minister to and what my commitment to them is. Am I in it for the long haul or simply to "catch and release".
One area of ministry where I know the Lord has specifically directed me to is our First Nation Indian Reserves. This is not a catch and release ministry. It is a get involved, make an impact and show people the love of Christ in all I do.
The story is of three people from two different, radically different backgrounds, that the Lord brings together through the vision of a woman and the power of God. There is a poignant scene in this book where the two gentleman are having a discussion about friendship.
When we hear the words "catch and release" we often think of fishing. If we catch a fish that is undersized we then take it and put it back in the water or if we are simply fishing for the sport of it we take the fish and put it back in the water for another day. Either way we only have that fish in our possesion for a short time.
Going back to the discussion between the friends one man who has had a hard time in life and has never had a true friend, asks the other man, "Are you going to catch and release me?" In other words are you going to invest in me for a short time and then forget about me?, or are you and I going to be true friends that stick by one another?
I have thought alot about these words "catch and release". I began to think about some of the people God has placed in my path who I have not been in contact with for some time. I also thought about the people that are hard to minister to and what my commitment to them is. Am I in it for the long haul or simply to "catch and release".
One area of ministry where I know the Lord has specifically directed me to is our First Nation Indian Reserves. This is not a catch and release ministry. It is a get involved, make an impact and show people the love of Christ in all I do.
posted by s.d.w. at 6:23 AM
2 Comments:
Hey Scott:
Just read your post as I am up at 5:00 AM , I couldn't get back to sleep. Just today I had the opportunity to share that same story from the book, " The Same Kind as A Different Kind Of Me" . I was going over the value of people and how people's lives can be transformed by God's power. Went on to share that " Catch and Release" concept. I too have people that God has given me to speak into their lives and be their friends (ministry). One friend currently who I see slipping away from fellowship. It is a good reminder that regardless of where they are in their journey, I will still be their friend. That example stuck with Don Hall... "Catch and Release" . That book and that concept will stay with me.
John O
Hey Scott:
Good News! Zach called last night and we had the best Father to Son talk we've had since he went away to school last fall. He initiated the call and he seemed really happy to talk to us. There was a lot of laughter about some of the things that were occuring with him. Funny stories and he enjoyed opening up to us. This was definately a God thing. There wasn't anything profound said but evidence that we are evolving into a relationship which is friendship versus Father ~ Son.
John O
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