Stay Fresh

I love receiving my "Just Between Us" Magazine every quarter in the mail. I just read this article and wanted to write it down, cause its important to share stuff that is meaningful to you, even if its just with one person, or just on a computer screen.

This excerpt is from an article on page 14 by Patricia Hickman.

"There's an old story that circulates here on the East Coast about a company that deep-sea fished in the Atlantic to supply restaurant owners. The live fish caught and dropped into a holding tank were swimming to the bottom of the tank and dying before the ship could reach the docks. One day, a sea catfish accidentally slipped into the tank. Sea catfish are trash fish, not good for human consumption. Nonetheless, the captain noticed that when the other fish grew lethargic, the catfish, seeing them as easy dinner, would nibble on them. Not wanting to be eaten alive, the high quality fish swam away. When the ship docked, the catch that day was fully alive because the catfish's nibbling kept the fish from growing lethargic and dying. So, the captain started capturing catfish to drop into the tanks to preseve his catch, thus guaranteeing that the fish arrived at the harbor fresh and alive."

Patricia related the story to how God uses adversity to keep us fresh as Christians. She talked about the temptation to become complacent in our decisions without adversity, beleiving that the decisions we make in every day life don't really matter. But when we respond rightly to adversity, we are more alert and more likely to discern the truth, and make good decisions that lead to life. And life not just a heartbeat at the bottom of a fishtank, but real life swimming freely and fulfilling your life's purpose.

You might have a nice tank, but removing adversity from your life and adding nice coral features isnt going to improve your life. Don't get wheighed down by life's adversity, use each opportunity to come before God again, to submit to Him again and make good choices that will lead to real life.

"So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self controlled." 1 Thess 5:6

"Now choose life ... that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life" Deut 30:19-20.

p.s. sorry I havent been around much lately, I was trying to fight off those little catfish instead of swimming up. ;)