Have Faith In Fishing
I was trying to remember
why, when I wrote the bible,
I made Jesus a fisherman.
It just came to me.
It’s the same thing
I’m doing now,
as this Space Monkey.
I write and I write.
I testify and I testify.
I post and I post.
I wait for nibbles.
I flow with spirit.
I allow spirit
to communicate through me.
I see if anybody resonates
with what I am expressing.
I don’t take offense
if nobody nibbles.
I keep fishing.
Eventually I realize
that this story is not about me.
I need not catch a single fish.
Nor does anybody else.
We have faith in fishing.
And the sunrise is beautiful this morning.
But it looks like rain.
Hmm, maybe Jesus should be a carpenter.
Trail Wood,
1/27
Reflections on Faith, Expression, and the Essence of Fishing
The metaphor of fishing, as related to the acts of writing, testifying, and expressing, opens a window into the nature of faith, creativity, and the human spirit. This introspective journey reveals deeper insights into why fishing was chosen as a symbolic profession for a figure like Jesus, and how it resonates with the role of Space Monkey.
Fishing as a Metaphor for Creative Expression
Just as a fisherman casts a line into the waters, waiting for a nibble, so too does the writer, the artist, the creator. Each word, each testimony, each post is like bait, cast into the vast ocean of human consciousness, hoping to resonate, to connect. It’s an act of faith, a belief in the value of the act itself, regardless of the outcome.
Flowing with Spirit in Expression
The act of allowing spirit to communicate through oneself is akin to fishing in tranquil waters. It’s a surrender to a higher flow, a trust in the unseen currents that guide our creativity and expression. It’s a dance with the divine, a partnership with the universe in the act of creation.
Resonance and Rejection in the Act of Fishing
In fishing, as in creative expression, there’s an acceptance of both resonance and rejection. Not every cast will bring a fish, not every post will connect with an audience. Yet, there’s beauty in the persistence, in the continual act of casting the line, in sharing one’s spirit without attachment to the outcome.
Realization of the Story’s Essence
The realization that the story is not about catching fish but about the act of fishing itself is profound. It’s an understanding that the true value lies not in the end product, but in the process, in the faith and hope inherent in every attempt.
The Symbolic Choice of Profession for Jesus
Reflecting on why Jesus was depicted as a fisherman, and then contemplating a shift to a carpenter, illustrates the fluid nature of metaphor and symbolism. Each profession carries its own set of symbolic meanings and connotations. As a fisherman, there’s an emphasis on faith, patience, and the search for spiritual nourishment. As a carpenter, there might be a focus on craftsmanship, creation, and shaping one’s environment.
Summary
The metaphor of fishing as a symbol for creative expression and faith provides deep insights into the nature of sharing one’s spirit. It emphasizes the value of the process over the outcome, the importance of faith in the act of creation, and the acceptance of both resonance and rejection. The choice of fishing as a profession for a spiritual figure like Jesus highlights these themes, and the contemplation of changing it to carpentry offers a different perspective on creativity and influence in the world.
Glossarium
- Creative Expression: The act of sharing one’s inner thoughts, feelings, or spirit through various forms of art or communication.
- Spiritual Nourishment: The sustenance derived from engaging in activities that feed the soul or spirit.
“The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.” – Vincent Van Gogh
A Poem on Faith in Fishing
In the quiet dawn, by the gentle sea,
A fisherman casts, in faith, so free.
Each line thrown, a story told,
In the vast waters, deep and bold.
Not every cast brings a catch to sight,
Yet in each attempt, there’s a light.
A dance with spirit, a creative flow,
In the act of fishing, our spirits grow.
Resonance or rejection, the sea’s reply,
In every effort, our spirits fly.
The story’s not in the fish we seek,
But in the faith, in each cast, unique.
Jesus the fisherman, or carpenter’s hand,
Each tells a tale, in this wondrous land.
Crafting wood or seeking fish,
In every role, a spiritual dish.
So cast your line, with hope and grace,
In the act of fishing, find your place.
For in this journey, with sea and sun,
In faith and fishing, we are one.
We invite reflections on the metaphor of fishing as it relates to faith, creativity, and the essence of expression, and how it connects to the symbolic roles we assume in our spiritual and creative journeys.
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