the eagle and the heron

Yesterday we thought about the eagle, perched high above the pond, and how he spots and catches fish that swim just below the surface.  I was thinking today about the heron and how he fishes in a different way.  He stands quietly by the ege of the pond...in the water, or on a dead log, and watches for his prey.  When he spots a fish within reach his neck uncoils and his spear-like bill is thrust into the water to impale his prey.  The heron, or egret, has long stilt legs.  In fact everything about the heron is long...legs, wings and beak.  When he wants to fly it is a bit of a process for him to unfold all of his flight equipment and pull his way into the air.  Once there, he is very graceful as his wings expand and pull the air with long strokes and he carries his legs tucked up beneath his body to maintain an aerodynamic shape.  So the eagle and the heron are different in just about every way: in flight, in appearance and in fishing technique.....but they both catch fish.  Perhaps we can relate to this as we fish in the Lord's pond.  Of course we don't intend to devour the Lord's fish...we want to fish for men so that they won't be eaten by sin.  I suppose that some of us may fish like the eagle...starting from high places and swooping in with speed.   And some of us may fish like the heron, poised a few feet from our target.  But in either case, just like the birds, we need vision, patience and skill.  I am challenged this morning to consider how to improve my fishing in the Lord's pond.

 

Job 12:

 ⁷ "But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
       or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;

 ⁸ or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
       or let the fish of the sea inform you.

 

blessings to other fishermen (whether you're an eagle or a heron),

Rob Smith