by Barbara Latta
A popular
resort activity is diving with sharks and feeding them. People pay money to get
into the water with an animal that has the capacity to eat them. I am not one
of those tourists. When I have been in the water I am constantly looking for
anything that might want to feed on me. Once while snorkeling in the Caribbean
I was enjoying the clear water and view of tropical reef below me. A school of
fish rushed underneath, and I was thinking, “Wow, what a wonderful sight!”
until I had another thought, “What if something is chasing them?” My wonderment
changed to fear even though I didn’t see any predators around.
 |
| Swimming with Sharks |
Shark Week
starts this week on the Discovery Channel and all those commercials reminded me
of the sharks we swim with every day in the world we live in. We don’t have to
be in the water to be surrounded by predators. If you are a Christian, you are
bait for the enemy. Jesus said if they hated Him, they would also hate us (John
15:18-18).
But He also
said they will know you are Christians by your love (John 13:35). The way Jesus
loved is the way we are supposed to love also. The love walk goes against the sinful nature
and is the only thing that will repel a shark attack.
But how do we live
this love life?
Fellowship with the Father instead of
feeding on shark leftovers.
Sharks in the ocean are followed by remora, a fish that eats the parasites from
the shark’s skin. Listening to negative news, harmful talk, and entertainment
draws us deeper into the shark infested waters where we can get eaten up. Beware lest anyone cheat you through
philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to
the basic principles of the world; and not according to Christ (Colossians
2:8). It is easy to become distracted by the activities of life and before we
know it we realize we haven’t been fellowshipping with our Father. The lack of intimacy
causes weakness and we can be consuming the shark leftovers without realizing
it. This can affect our attitude and behavior.
Be strong and of good courage. Don’t
fear the sharks. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do
not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you
go (Joshua 1:9 NKJV). Sharks in the water are a terrible sight, but fearing
them only invites them in. Research has determined that sharks sense electrical
impulses in prey from the thrashing and fearful activity.[i] When we fear the worldly sharks,
the enemy can sense that we are becoming a victim and the attack begins.
Keep bait away from the sharks. Some people will bait us by trying to
start an argument or continuing to use harassing conversation. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes,
knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel
but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility, correcting those who
are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may
know the truth (2 Timothy 2:23-24 NKJV).
While we are on
this earth we are in the shark tank. But we can rely on our Father for
protection. Divers who study sharks get in a cage for protection. Our part is
to dwell in the shark cage of that protection by standing on His Word. We are
still in the ocean with the sharks until God takes us out of here. But His Word
is the steel reinforcement surrounding us keeping us from being eaten up if we
stay in the cage of His love.
Feel free to
share your thoughts about shark week.
Inciteful devotion, Barbara. Thank you. Ethel Lytton (Thele))
ReplyDeleteThanks Ethyl!
DeleteTruth!!! Love this analogy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Terri!
Delete