Objects: A fishing vest, a bait bucket, a fish stringer, and a tackle box filled with lures
I love to go fishing. That is one of my favorite things to do in my spare time. I want to tell you a story about my going fishing once. A friend and I were going fishing two hours from my house, and so he was going to pick me up in his car early in the morning ... around 4:00 a.m. He opened his trunk, and I put everything I needed for our fishing trip in the trunk ... this fishing vest, my bait bucket, this stringer to put the fish on, and my tackle box filled with my favorite lures. The entire drive to the lake, all we talked about what a great day of fishing we were going to have.
When we finally arrived at the lake, we unloaded the trunk and I discovered I forgot my fishing rod and reel. I remembered everything else that I needed for a good fishing trip except what was most important: my fishing rod. Needless to say, we didn't have a very good fishing trip.
I've often thought how Jesus is like that rod and reel. There are so many things we need in order to live enjoyable lives. Things like good health, a good education, a good job, good food and alot of love. But more than anything else, we need Jesus. He is what is most important for us to have if we want to enjoy this life. Jesus said, "I came that you might have life and life to the fullest." Jesus wants us to enjoy life to its fullest. To do that, we have to have a relationship with him through faith. I hope that one day you make the decision to make Jesus your Lord and Savior.
Timothy J. Najpaver, Pastor, Liberty Baptist Church, Pekin, Illinois