I love to fish. However, I am one of those fishermen who is not an environmental threat. I often come back with nothing, but it is still fun to try.
Sometimes, when I don’t catch anything with my lures or flies, I switch to a surefire method that usually works. I find the wiggliest worms or the smelliest chicken guts I can find. I put them on a good-sized hook, ensure a hefty weight is on the line, and then cast it out into deep water. There, it sits on the bottom. Every once in a while I will reel it back in to check to see if the bait is still on and cast it back out.
Rarely do I catch a wanted bass or trout (unless they are lost or are very dumb) on that rig. I usually hook something, but it’s an unwanted fish: bottom feeders like catfish, suckers, or carp, but at least I can tell my wife I caught something. Most of the time, my catch from the bottom is not what a fisherman is trying to catch, and it is rarely something he would ever brag about.
I was thinking of catching the bottom feeders after seeing a young Christian woman’s posting on social media the other day. She showed off how she looked after getting ready for a first-time date. There she was in her tight-fitting dress, far from being modest, wearing makeup that would rival many movie actors and nosebleed high heels. Although I have only seen actors portraying prostitutes showing their “wares” on television, she was not dressed much differently. I was troubled about what she was doing to herself and what she was advertising to her date.
I certainly would not say anything to her, but I would like to. I want to tell her that when a person dresses like that, she would probably end up with a “bottom feeder,” one of those catches that one usually throws back and is not proud of catching.
Her dress-up efforts most likely will not attract someone who is looking for a good wife, not looking for intellect, friendship, good character, a sparkling personality, and a good mother for his future children. Most likely, he would only be attracted to the bait she was offering, get the biggest “bite” he could get away with, and soon swim off to see what else the bottom of the lake has to offer. Then she would be left all alone, again, more lonely and rejected than before, and she may even wonder where she went wrong.
A child of God should not be looking for “bottom feeders.” When a fisherman wants to catch a fish worth his time, he uses the right bait and fishes in entirely different spots. He fishes the cool, deep holes under a shaded tree to catch a desired trout. It usually does not look like a likely spot, but that is where they are found. If the goal is a lively, prized, large tail-dancing bass, then a line is cast among the tall grasses and lily pads. A Christian should not go to the wrong, worldly places to find a mate.
Dating should not be trying to catch everything that is swimming around. That type of “fishing” often does a lot of mental damage to the “fisherman” and “fish” alike, and the result is usually unhappiness. Feelings get hurt. Moral standards get lowered. Regrets remain. Frustration flourishes, and long-time marriage goals may be compromised. Dating should be for mating. It should be an avenue to find a lifetime marriage partner.
Only the right “catch” should be sought. The right catch is spiritually similar. A Christian should only be seeking a Christian as a soulmate.
Marriage is a joining (“yoked”) of a man and a wife intended to be for a lifetime. Two cannot be yoked together if their relationship with the Lord will lead them in different directions. The goals and thinking are too different between a saved and an unsaved person. Often, the pressures of these differences cause disunity between the husband and wife. To silence marital problems, the Christian often changes or hides his spiritual feelings and desires.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” II Cor. 6:14
“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3 Also: Isa. 52:11.
It is quite common that when a believer marries an unbeliever, different problems arise. Much of the Bible’s marriage advice is dealing with an unsaved spouse. One wants to flee sin and obey convictions placed in his heart, and the other does not see things the same way. Often, sin is not recognized or seen as a problem, and it would be unlikely that an unsaved person would want to live for the Lord. There is no spiritual commonality between a child of God and a lost person. A spiritual relationship is far more important than married people realize — until it is too late.
“Well, when we get married, I’ll change him,” is often the excuse. Rarely can a person change the spiritual condition of another. It is the Holy Spirit that successfully changes anyone.
When a person tries to change another, regrets, resentment, and rebellion often result. Unless the Holy Spirit does the work, a relationship will not flourish. Most attempts to “change him after we’re married” have failed, and a high divorce rate verifies that fact!
This is the reason God tells believers to only “yoke up” (work together — and marriage is a lifetime “work”) with like-minded believers. A Christian desires to grow spiritually. Growth will be inhibited if a mate is not a child of God (I Cor. 5:9-13, II Cor. 6:15). Once a relationship with an unsaved person starts, it may be hard to stop it. To avoid regrettable actions, never allow yourself to “bottom feed” in the first place. A regrettable relationship with a lost person will not occur if an unsaved person is never dated.
Set your goals on a trophy catch. Go where the “trout” or “bass” is found. Never lower your expectations or goals. If you are a child of God, you deserve only the best, God-selected trophy catch, which is God’s desire for you also.
“Ladies, if you run after God like you run after a man, he will send you a man you won’t have to run after.” — Author Unknown
I am going to use this for family devotion. This is required reading at my house. Excellent.
:>)