Reflections - Like a Fish Out of Water: Listen to Your Dissatisfaction
Writer Author Shana Schutte
Christian Column
:
Devotionals
- Fiction No
There once was a man who netted three trout from a mountain stream and carefully placed them side by side on a thin slice of grass. Before he removed them from the water, they were like liquid ballet in motion. Fluid. Graceful. Vibrant. Alive.
After he netted them, it was another story.
As the trout lay on the grass, they were motionless. Their eyes were fixed. They gasped for air, and they looked--and acted--stupid.
The man noticed they seemed unhappy, so he talked to them, hoping that his encouragement would change them.
"Little fish, don't be sad. You'll like the grass. Just try it out for a while."
No movement. No response. No change.
A few more seconds passed. The man's neighbor walked by. "Hey Bob! Come and check out these fish!"
Bob sauntered over and the man explained that he was certain the fish could adjust, and learn to like--and even love--the grass. "I'm sure they could prosper here on the grass, don't you?"
"Why not?" Bob replied. So he also tried to tell the fish it would be good if they learned to like the grass. After all, he liked the grass, and everyone else above the water liked the grass, too.
Still, the fish didn't blink. They just lay there looking dumber by the second.
Finally, a little boy approached the two men and exclaimed, "What are you doing? Put them back! They can't be all they've been created to be when they are out of the water."
Finally convinced, the man carefully placed each fish back in the stream. After splashing for a split second, all three swam away effortlessly. Again, it was like liquid ballet. What ease! What grace! What beauty!
In that moment, the man realized that no matter how long the fish lay there that they would never adjust to the grass, and they would never be satisfied--no matter how much he (or anyone else) tried to tell them otherwise. Even if the fish tried to convince themselves they could learn to like the grass, they never would, and they would never prosper. In fact, they would eventually die.
Do you feel like a fish out of water? Your prolonged dissatisfaction could be telling you that you were created for another purpose. If you feel like you're dying on the inside, listen to your heart and to God. Your dissatisfaction could be just what you need to push you into another, more satisfying ocean.
When you discover where you belong, and what you were created for, your genius will shine for all to admire, and for God to applaud. Why? Because the untapped greatness of every person on planet earth is resident in doing their God-given purpose.
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5
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About the Writer Author
State:
Colorado
Country:
United States
Email:
runtogodministries@yahoo.com
Website:
www.runtogodministries.org
Profile:
Click here!
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