Do you ever find yourself stuck in a bit of a rut, doing the same thing week after week? I sure do! It is easy for me to get tunnel vision and only see what is right in front of me. Last week, my husband surprised me with a trip to the South Carolina Aquarium for our anniversary. It is something we have talked about but never found the time for in the eight years we have lived here. It was amazing!

One of the first things we saw was the bald eagle exhibit. Her name is Liberty, and I was taken aback by how majestic and beautiful this creature is even though she can't fly anymore. It seemed a little odd at first to see a bald eagle in an aquarium, but when she was broken, hurting, and unable to heal on her own, the aquarium was able to give her a home. Isn't that just like our heavenly Father? When we are broken, hurting, and realize we cannot heal ourselves, our Savior is waiting with open arms to give us a new home with Him. "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

We saw two tanks of jellyfish that appeared to be very different, yet both were stunningly beautiful in their own way. I doubt jellyfish compare themselves to each other like women tend to do! Why can I find beauty in each of these unique creatures, but have a difficult time seeing my own God-given beauty and uniqueness? "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:13-14   

I almost missed the octopus because I was expecting something much larger. After all, it has eight arms and three hearts! It was actually a very small creature. Although it was much smaller than I imagined, it was still amazing. Sometimes we may think that because we do not have a larger than life personality or great hight, beauty, etc., God can't use us. That is a lie from the enemy. "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'" 1 Samuel 16:7 

Seahorses have always been a favorite of mine. I have seen them before and wasn't surprised at how small they are, but they immediately made me think of the church. Some were in community together, but a few had chosen to isolate themselves from others. If you are someone who has a difficult time allowing others in, let me encourage you to find a small community of like-minded women who can stand beside you. "That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." 1 Corinthians 12:25-27

 One of the most beautiful fish I saw was the Lionfish, but it seems that looks can be deceiving. For all its beauty, the Lionfish poses a threat to the local ecosystem. They have few, if any, natural predators in the Atlantic, so their growing population, along with their consumption of our native fish, disrupts the natural food chain. The South Carolina Aquarium actually holds special events to encourage divers to capture them. As Christians, we must look beyond beauty or the appearance of good and test everything by God's Word. "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds." 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

One last thought came to me as I watched a tank of what I consider to be just plain old fish. Some are bigger, some smaller, some with a little color, some almost translucent, and all have different origins and names. They are all different, but none really stand out as exotic or spectacular. When I look at this tank, it is just a tank of fish. That is where I see myself. There is definitely nothing exotic or spectacular about me! I am just one of the little fish swimming in a big tank doing my best to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which (I) have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:1a-3

 

Thank you for walking this path with me. We may think of ourselves as just plain old fish, but never forget—Christ knows you by name! God knows every unique thing about you because He created you that way. When He looks at us, he does not see a tank of plain old fish—He sees His children who are redeemed, forgiven, holy, and beloved.