A TIDE-POOL EXISTENCE
Linda grew up on Puget Sound in Washington state. As we walked the beach, she introduced me to tide pools—small ecosystems which collect in large puddles as the tide retreats. Anemones, urchins, starfish, and kelp crabs populate this miniature world.
In their self-contained environment, these creatures have no idea that surrounding them is an ocean, billions of times larger than their neighborhood. Every few hours, their world radically changes as the tide sweeps them out to sea.
How many of us exist in tide pools of our own creation? Like sea creatures trapped in negligible places, we get stuck in a tide-pool mindset, clueless to the destiny God intends for us. Fearful to venture out in faith, we settle for a mediocre tide-pool existence. But that’s not God’s plan for us.
In John 10:10 Jesus lays out his destiny for us by stating, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (ESV). In Jeremiah 29:11, God promises his people, “‘I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (NIV).
God always wants more for us than we want for ourselves. Eternal life isn’t “pie in the sky in the sweet by-and-by.” Eternal life—abundant living—begins now, and ultimately reaches fulfillment in heaven. In the meantime, live in this reality: “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37, ESV).
I know folks who decry how our world is going to hell in a handbasket, fearfully hanging on—whining each day for Jesus to return and remove us from this mess. Of course, we want Jesus to return, but God has an ocean of adventure for us. He calls us to influence our world—to be salt and light, and emanate the aroma of Jesus (2 Corinthians 2:14).
Sea creatures don’t have a choice—but we do. Let’s stretch ourselves and step out of our comfort zones. It’s not about what we do, but how we do it. There are no small assignments in God’s kingdom. Think large, and know the little things we do can have a huge impact. Invite a neighbor to church, volunteer at a homeless shelter, or mentor a new Christian. We were created for so much more than a tide-pool existence.
The inspiration for this devotion comes from my friend Billy Wilson’s YouTube Channel, Let’s Talk Bible.
Principle: We were created for more than a tide-pool existence.
Ponder:
At what times do you feel stuck in a tide-pool existence?
What do you sense God is calling you to, that causes you to stretch your faith?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Romans 8:28-39.
Prayer: Loving Father, thank you for those times when you nudge me to step out of my tide pool and dive into the ocean of adventure you have prepared for me.