A poor man inspires this little story, one you’ve probably heard. It’s called The Mexican Fisherman Story and it’s a parable about simplicity. About gaining more by doing less. About living at God’s perfect pace, not just during Lent—but always. Here’s the story:
An American businessman was standing on the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow-fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish, asking how long it took to catch them.
“Only a little while,” the Mexican replied.
“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” the American asked.
“I have enough to support my family’s needs,” the Mexican said.
“But,” the American asked, “what do you do with the rest of your time?”
The fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life, Señor.”
The American scoffed. “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should fish more. Work more. Earn more. Then buy a bigger boat.”
“And then?” the fisherman asked.
“Then you could buy several boats, eventually owning a fleet. Then instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you could sell directly to consumers, eventually opening your own can factory. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA, and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”
The fisherman asked, “But, Señor, how long will this all take?”
To which the American replied, “Oh, 15-20 years.”
“But what then, Señor?”
The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right, you would announce an IPO (Initial Public Offering) and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions.”
“Millions, Señor? Then what?”
The American said slowly, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”
Doing Less for God
Ah, yes. We see the point: Working day and night to “have more” and “be more” only leaves us with less.
Even when we work for God? Especially when we work for God. As it turns out, our “doing” more for God—who doesn’t need our doing—is far less crucial than “being” more of God to a hurting world.
Being more kind. Being more thoughtful. Being more loving.
I reflect on this irony after considering my own work schedule. When the year started, I outlined a half dozen key “important projects” to tackle.
Quickly, I devolved into driving hard and running fast. You know the grind. “Doing more for God,” I was meeting myself going and coming.
In recent weeks, however, I invited myself to pursue not projects, but His presence.
So I’m going s-l-o-w-e-r. Actually doing less. Giving my best to one thing. (For me, my humble writing.) But getting more done? Indeed.
Jesus invites us to this slower way when He says His believers “will do even greater things” than He did “because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12–14 NIV).
By sending His Holy Spirit, He enables us to do greater things—not by our strength, but by His Spirit.
So help us, O Lord, to stop struggling in our own strength to be adequate at a zillion things. Instead, by His Spirit let’s “do” less for God by focusing on one great thing: Telling the world about Christ.
One person at a time.
Then He makes it more. He makes it count. He makes it great. A “simple” Mexican fisherman illustrates this blessed way. The Lord graciously invites us to start living it.
—Written by Patricia Raybon. Used by permission of the author. Click here to connect with Patricia.
22 Responses
Amen Thank you for morning confirmation. Yes, let me live this ‘Simple life’ God has carved out for ME’ . I am serving a living and loving God.
Peggy, YES! We are so grateful to read these words. Thank you for being part of the GHH community!!
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Eryn Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
After living in several different countries six years ago I returned back to my country of birth. So much had changed and a lot of the changes, especially the attitudes of the locals, were a culture shock. Seeking employment and successfully completing probationary periods proved to be quite challenging. The main challenge was not fitting into the ‘culture.’ Over the past four years I’ve been in control of when I am available to work. Now I have more time to spend doing more positive things. For example prayer and Bible study, family time, Yoga and walking the family dog, and volunteering. Thank you for sharing the fisherman’s lifestyles.
S.R, We are so grateful for your story and your vulnerability to share your journey of adjusting and continuing to acclimate. We are honored to have you part of the GHH Community!
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Eryn Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
Thank you Patricia, inspiring, especially in a world focused on how much we have, than how well we live.
Viona, thank you for your love and support in the GHH Community!!!
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Eryn Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
Thanks for reminding us to pursue God’s presence over projects and trust His pace over our plans, Patricia.
So grateful for you Xochitl!!! <3 <3
Eryn
This was a beautiful story! Just what the Lord wants less about self and more about His Son!! perfect!! we must decrease and Holy God must Increase!! Do the work He called us to Do. Thank you Patricia!!! God Bless you!
Thank you Rhonda! We are so grateful for you and your involvement in the GHH Community!
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Eryn Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
I get it oh dont I get it. To think that I’ve perhaps been asking the Lord for the wrong thing when the right thing was always looking at me. Talk about revelation, whoa
SpecialK, thank you for sharing this. What a perspective shift when that happens! We are so grateful for your involvement in the GHH Community.
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Eryn Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
God is so good to me! He always meets my needs and He did so in this inspired writing. Thank you, Father. Thank you, Patricia. Thank you, God Hears Her. 💚
Michelle, we are so grateful for your involvement in the GHH Community. Thank you for sharing!
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Eryn Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
Sometimes we can be so busy for the Lord that we have no time for Him! Don’t give the devil any fuel. Stay focused on the One who Matters – Jesus Christ!!!
Lolita,
YES! Not today satan and not tomorrow satan! Focus on the ONE – AMEN!
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Eryn Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
I love it. I often wondered why God had me stop my career in teaching after only 4 years. I started taking on more than I could handle and then I had anannuerism and could not drive anymore. i couldn’t get to work. After I worked so hard to become a teacher. Now I see I was supposed to stay home and find out about God and I did. Thank you God for taking care of me. I loove you Jesus.
Pat, thank you so much for your vulnerability and sharing part of your journey to hearing God and seeing His presence in your life. We pray over you and that the Lord will continue to show just how present He is in your life.
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Eryn Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
Wow!! Just what I needed in this hurried busy world we live in.
Doe, we re so grateful these words were what you needed today! 🙂
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Eryn Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
Beautiful put reminder 😊
Grateful for you Bianca!
Have you joined our women’s prayer group and let us know how we can cover you in prayer? https://www.facebook.com/groups/1065571583891975
Eryn Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast