When I was growing up in
the early 70’s we had a bumper sticker on our green station wagon with the
symbol shown in the photo. It’s called ICHTHUS (ik – thoos). The symbol without the letters was a
representation of a fish used in ancient times as a pagan fertility amulet.
With the letters, it’s a Christian symbol for the Greek word ichthys
interpreted as an acrostic in which the Greek letters are the initials of the
words “Jesus/Christ/Son of God/Savior”. Early Christian were harrassed for
believing and would put this symbol on their houses or draw them in the sand to
let other believers know they were believers as well.
In today’s world it’s
hard to start conversations about God for fear of slipping into offensive territory.
Freedom of religion has now become intolerance for any discussions or
expressions of Christianity. I agree that faith is
a personal decision, but freedom also means I should be able to express my
faith. Jesus has told us to go and make discples. How do we do that if it’s taboo
to discuss God? How do we share the wonderful things God is doing in our lives
if we don’t have that freedom?
Thinking
back to conversations I’ve had at work,
there were indicators with my clients, co-workers, and vendors that led me to think
they might be believers. I saw a
co-worker praying in slience before lunch. A vendor ended his email with “God Bless!” And
a client told me she could see my “light” (using handmotions for quote signs). When
I greeted a potential renter and asked how they were, they responded with – “God
is Good” and I answered, “He is indeed”.
These small clues created an opening for a shared dicsussion about our faith in
God; sort of like the fish clue the first Christains used.
It’s no surprise that they used the shape of the fish,
as fishing was an important part of most peoples lives, and already used by the
pagans – without the letters. Jesus was not a stranger to fishing and even told
His disciples they would be fishers of men. We have a word that is very similar
to the “baiting” that the ICHTHUS fish did when it was created.
The word is “Phishing”. However,
it is normally used to describe a malicious motive for baiting someone in the
hopes of stealing electronic information from them. I’m thinking we can update this term for our
purposes, like the first Christains did with the pagan fish symbol. Can we be “phishers
of men” by putting out clues in our speech and actions to others? Can we be more attentive to others when they “phish”
in a conversation, and not just let it slip by? If we purpose to be in tune to
these clues we may just find that God reveals them more and more. We never know
how many small conversations might lead to bigger ones. We never know if someone searching for God
will hear us in a small conversation and ask us about our faith later. We could
consider those early conversations “bait”. Little pieces of God that draw people in.
If we are shot down when “phishing”
and find we can’t openly talk about our faith in
God then our lives should always be the loudest testimony. St. Francis of Assisi
said, "Preach the Gospel at all
times - Use words if necessary". The
truth is we do have freedom of religion but we don’t always have freedom of
speech in certain settings. But when our spirit speaks to to another persons
spirit in the smallest clue we declare the power of faith in “Jesus/Christ/Son
of God/Savior”.
“As Jesus walked by
the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew
his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And
he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately
they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:19 Revised Standard Version (RSV)
**Lord, please alert me to more opportunities for conversations
about my faith and the wonderful things you’ve done in my life. Create in me a
boldness to use my freedom found in you to express this faith. Show me the
areas of my life that are not shining as bright for you as they should and
forgive me for settling for those conditions.
I want to be an example of a very loud testimony, with very little
words. **
Click this link to see
kids using bread to draw fish into the net.
