Snake Killing

Not too long ago my Grandpa shared with me a very simple story. Though simple, the story has impacted me so much that I want to share it with you.

A father told his son to go down to the lake and catch some fish for dinner.  The boy eagerly grabbed his pole and headed down to the water.  He baited his hook and cast his line into the lake.  As he was waiting for a bite, he noticed something in the bushes.  It was a snake.  He quickly reeled in his line and set his pole aside.  He then began to devise and execute a plan to kill the snake.  Once the snake was dead he picked up his pole.  "Dad will be so proud of me for killing a snake," he thought.  As he began to cast the line back into the water he saw that the bushes were rustling.  Another snake slithered out of the bushes.  Setting his pole down again, the boy proceeded to kill the snake. All day long he killed snake after snake after snake.  About dusk his father came to bring him back up to the house.

"How many fish did you catch, son?"
"Well, none."
"You didn't catch any fish? Why not?"
"I tried to catch fish, but look how many snakes I killed!" exclaimed the boy as he gestured to the giant pile of dead snakes.
"I didn't ask you to kill snakes, son.  I asked you to catch fish."

The boy hung his head in disappointment as he walked empty handed with his father back to the house.

The point my Grandpa was trying to make is that while killing snakes is important, we should not get so distracted by them that we catch no fish.  In other words, righting wrongs, defending the gospel, and exposing sin are crucial, but if all we ever do are those things and yet catch no fish (witness to others), we are revealing an imbalance within our own hearts. It is easy to stand on the bank of the lake and throw stones at snakes.  Fishing is hard work.  It takes practice and patience.  And so it is easy to stand back and point fingers at everything that is wrong, which I do far too often.  But it is very difficult to get out on the battlefield where souls are won and share the gospel. Why is it difficult? Simple.  Because it takes much more effort and faith than pointing our fingers, which takes virtually no effort at all.  Sometimes, the snakes we are killing need to be killed.  It is important that we do not ignore blatant sin in the lives of other believers or that we do not sit silently while false gospels are preached.  These are important, but must be balanced with the sharing of the gospel.  When we get out and share the gospel something happens to us.  It doesn't just change the lives of those with whom we share, it changes us.  It softens our hearts to the lost.  It makes us more loving and gentle.  So, kill snakes, but don't forget to catch fish!

When I realize that I am focusing on all the things that need to change around me instead of focusing on all of the dying souls, I remember this story.  My Grandpa is a very wise man.  He knows all too well my tendency to want to kill all of the snakes.  God made me a snake killer!  But, he also knows that it would be sinful for all of my efforts and energy to be focused there.  And, afterall, God has commanded me to be a fisherman.  I sure am thankful for my Grandpa and all the godly wisdom he shares.