Do you understand the meaning of “small fry”? It was reiterated to me yesterday morning.
Dave and I went out fishing first thing. It was just after daybreak. The hatch of water bugs was in full harvest. At first we thought we stepped into a swarm of mosquitos. No, not that. We were in a hatch of what appeared to be small dragon flies.
As they landed on the water’s surface the trout began to boil. It had been a long time since I had seen such a sight. Everywhere there were ripples, the trout were coming to the surface to feed on the new hatch.
As we cast our bait we hoped there would be one or two trout that chose it over the freshly hatched bugs sitting on the surface of the water.
At shore’s edge, we observed the hunger of the small fry. Did you know that young fish are called fry?
These little guys, less than 3 to 4 inches long, would come to the surface of the water to feed. Up they’d come, gulp, flip their tails and be gone.
Does it shock you that I would think of a story in the Bible to relate to this adventure?
Jesus met Peter, James, John and Andrew on the shore of the Sea of Galilee after they had had an unsuccessful night of fishing.
“Master,” Simon answered, “we have worked hard all night long and have not caught a thing. But if you tell me to, I will let the nets down.” 6 They did it and caught so many fish that their nets began ripping apart. 7 Then they signaled for their partners in the other boat to come and help them. The men came, and together they filled the two boats so full that they both began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw this happen, he knelt down in front of Jesus and said, “Lord, don’t come near me! I am a sinner.” 9 Peter and everyone with him were completely surprised at all the fish they had caught. 10 His partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were surprised too. Jesus told Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you will bring in people instead of fish.” Luke 5:5-10 CEV
This was a net breaking, almost boat sinking load. But what I find interesting is that nowhere is there any mention to the size of the fish. Surely, some of the fish were small fry.
This is so much like Jesus.
He never makes a distinction between large or small, rich or poor, educated or plain. In fact, Paul says that the Lord uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.
This should be so encouraging.
If you feel like a small fish in a big pond guess what? God knows you’re there. Are you a small fry? Not to worry, God has jobs that only small fry can fill. You won’t find a whale in a mountain lake.
Father, let us realize that you have a specific job for each one of your children. We don’t need to be envious of the bigger fish in the lake. You are willing to use those of us that are small fry!