“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Colossians 3:2-3
The musty, sweet earth mildly permeates the air;
With it, a soft white fog early greets the morning.
The sun will soon stretch forth its golden rays humbly to bear;
A new dawn in serene stillness, its beauty silently adorning.
The foggy coolness builds up stirring anticipation;
Matched only by every songbird sounding out resplendent glory.
The fishermen arise and embrace their long-awaited recreation;
The crossing of worlds is set to generate memories with each awaiting story.
Two sets of two worlds on vastly different paths this day will collide;
From the first encounter to the last, they will, for some time, sacredly abide.
The first world is wet, and the other one is dry;
On this day meet at the end of a fly.
The second world is a Christian fishing novice alongside an unbelieving fishing guide;
Both in a paradoxical quest for the river’s treasure, two more worlds will soon collide.
One has true skill and the other sincere desire;
Both aim for riches under the water; both seek riches no one can acquire.
The first world is diverse yet quietly surviving;
Every fish, plant, and river swimming animal harmoniously engaged.
The second world thoughtfully carries out its plan upon arriving;
Employing each artificial fly strategically and deliciously staged.
It is on the White River on a fresh spring day;
When a fisherman and a fish meet through a deceptive display.
An artificial fly joining the two worlds together;
A meeting by chance: one for survival and the other for clever.
The second world is joined by mutual affection;
A fish caught, a fish lost, and a hunt with a fly actively deployed.
One wants freedom yet is enslaved without direction;
Yet with every word spoken, he does coyly avoid.
Two different worlds this day do meet;
Two different paths with diverging motivations.
No god he will this day entreat;
No hope of life beyond the grave; only now set up for unmet expectations.
A word of life spoken and quickly rejected, diverted, and set aside in self-proclaimed gullibility;
Every ambition, relationship, and commitment is taken as chance.
No eternal Divine desire expressed, no path toward humility;
Only a life of suppressing truth and hoping against hope to avoid the Creator’s glance.
Two different worlds this day did collide.
A fisherman, a fish, and an indifferent fishing guide.
O that he might know that one day all these worlds will reach judgment’s end;
And all of his questions will be set to right.
Indeed, different worlds at seeming odds the Creator God will finally mend;
Only this time and forever more, all that was in darkness will be brought into the light.
Thus, my trout fishing guide and wondering soul;
You were indeed an instrument to bring two worlds together.
Yet you did not see that all your play will never fill your aching hole;
No amount of fish caught, no mysterious river known, and no relationship committed will be your lasting treasure.
Look up, look around, and look below;
The treasure is not in any created thing.
Only believe God, His grace to bestow;
For you cannot keep this world no matter how hard you cling.
Look to Him!
