‘The heavens declare the glory of God’

When is it good for a fisherman to not catch fish?

If you’re a fisherman, you might think there is never a good time to not catch fish. But, my answer to the question is, “The time it is good to go fishing and not catch fish is when you get to teach your grandchildren about God.”

Friday was our grandson Henry’s third birthday, and his parents held a party on Saturday. After talking with Henry’s dad, I bought him an ice fishing pole, a tackle box with some hooks and bobbers, and an ice spoon (which he brought with him to church on Sunday). Somehow, on Monday, I got to take Henry and his older brother and sister, Jake and Emma, fishing. Go figure.

As we were driving north to the lake where we fished, I asked the kids, “Why do you think Poppy likes to go fishing?”

Jake and Emma answered, “Because you get meat,” “Because you like to eat them,” and “Because it’s fun.”

I told them these were all good answers, but not the main reason I like to go fishing.

“Who made the mountains?” I asked. “Who made the rivers and the lakes and the fish?”

Jake knew.

“God made them,” he said.

So I told Jake, Emma and Henry, “I like to go fishing because I like being outdoors. God made the outdoors and when I’m outside fishing it teaches me about God.”

So we went fishing. There was about 10 inches of ice on the lake, but when you take care of a 6-, a 5- and a 3-year-old, it can be hard to get much fishing done. On the lake I baited four poles and drilled four holes. Jake was missing his gloves and hat. I fixed him up, but the wind was blowing. Henry was hungry so I handed out snacks. The kids splashed in the water and got a little wet. Emma had to go to the bathroom. Then Emma said she didn’t need to go. The fish weren’t biting near our parking spot so I asked my grandchildren if they wanted to go across the lake. But they all agreed they were cold and wanted to go home. We packed up the auger, the poles, the bait, the food, the clothes and we walked to the truck.

On the way home I asked my grandchildren again, “Why does Poppy like to go fishing?” Jake was quick to answer, “You like the outdoors because God made it.”

In repeating that answer, Jake demonstrated that he had learned a lesson we can all find in Scripture: all the creation around us teaches us about God.

God’s glory and work is spoken about in Psalm 19:1, which says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

His power and nature is revealed in all of creation, too. Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made...”

It is to me and should be to everyone a joy to spend time outdoors growing in the grace of God found in creation.

Others have told me they enjoy the outdoors, too, but maybe in a different light.

Sometimes I have talked to people about God and worship and they tell me, “I don’t go to church. I can worship God in the woods.” So I have asked, “Do you?”

Usually, I get a quizzical look, so I ask again. “Do you worship God in the woods?”

I seldom get an answer to the question.

Imagine what the outdoors does tell us. Monday we drove by a river rimmed with ice. We fished below stark mountains capped with snow. We walked on a beautiful frozen lake. We saw a moose, an eagle, and some other wildlife. This beauty and the order and diversity found in the world around us is not an accident. God is the author of the beauty and order and diversity found in creation.

But God has more to teach than what can be found in nature: his saving love in Jesus.

We learn God’s grace in the word of God, especially in Jesus who is called “the Word of God.” This undeserved love of God changes my attitude about everything. When I know God created all things, I know I should worship him. When I know God’s sacrificial love for me, in spite of my failings, I want to worship him. So I worship God to thank and praise him that he loves and forgives a sinner like me though the gift of his son, Jesus. I worship, and God strengthens me to serve my creator, my shepherd, and my savior.

On Monday we didn’t catch any fish, but I still enjoyed the outdoors. I think my grandkids enjoyed the outdoors with Poppy, too, even though we did not catch a single fish. I too enjoyed the time with my grandchildren.

So, usually you’ll find me on my Mondays off fishing and talking to my Heavenly Father. On Sundays you’ll find me in worship, thanking God that his love is not just in this created world, but exists eternally with God in heaven, because of Jesus.

Jonathan Rockey is pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer. Contact him at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

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