"I am going to catch a fish," she said.
She had been watching the man in the middle of the lake. He was sitting silently in a kayak, pole in hand and bait in water, waiting. Fish were all around him in those open waters. Like candy in the hand of a stranger, his baited hook floated among them, waiting for a bite. Then with a tug of the fisherman's pole the hook would sink deep within flesh and the catch would be pulled up to the surface only to take it's last breathe.
But this little girl, she had done her share of fishing and catching and eating. Now she just wanted to hold one of those one-inchers in her hand. So she devised a plan.
"I am going to throw rocks a ways out and all around, so when the rocks fall behind them the fish swim closer to me and then I will scoop them up with my hands."
She was hopeful and excited and began tossing her rocks and waiting.
She never did catch a fish this way, but they still swam around her feet.
I figured the fish had two options when those rocks came crashing into their world. One, they could swim past the splash out into the open waters where the fisherman's baited hook was waiting. Or two, they could swim toward the shore where loving hands were waiting to scoop them up.
It's a lot like life really.
Things get thrown our way and we have to make a decision. Will we run out into the vastness where it seems safe, where the big fish are swimming, continually searching for fulfillment? That is where the one hiding in the shadows is waiting, bait anchored on a hook, whispers of prosperity, and snares for our souls are set.
"For among my people are found wicked men; they lie in wait as one who sets snares; they set a trap; they catch men." Jeremiah 5:26
Or will we turn and swim toward the one with open hands? There is no snare in His hands, only a refuge. He offers eternal life and puts to death only that which puts us in bondage like pride and greed. He gives unlimited mercy and His grace offers a freedom deeper than any open waters can ever provide.
David once said, "I am in great distress. Please let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man." 2 Samuel 24:14
Rocks fly our way everyday and we constantly have to decide: Are we going to put this into the Lord's hands or deal with it on our own, making us vulnerable to the schemes of the enemy?
What is it going to be with the rock that just flew past you?
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