Like a Sturgeon

I’m about to say something either really profound or really stupid.

Maybe it’s both. But I came to a realization, just now, just before I started typing, thinking about what I should write. I’m in Starbucks, and I saw Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino on the menu, then I thought about salt, and then I thought about salt water and the ocean, and then I realized…

Most freshwater fish don’t get to see the ocean. And most saltwater fish don’t get to hang out on the beach. And when they do, the experience is different than they expect it to be.

Now, I admit, it’s kind of a ridiculous statement. It’s kind of silly to think about.

Of course freshwater fish don’t get to swim in the ocean. They’re freshwater fish! Most of them probably don’t know the ocean exists. They’re probably more concerned with eating, swimming around, raising their fish babies, and looking for free worms on a hook-shaped platter.

It’s a fish. To my knowledge, fish don’t go on vacation, and they also don’t have any dreams and aspirations.

But let’s pretend for a moment that they do.

Imagine:

You’re swimming in a lake. The lake connects to a river and that river thirty miles downstream pours into the ocean. You’re relaxing in the water and floating on your back when you hear a voice.

“Hello.”

You thought you were alone, so you tread water and spin around a few times, eyes looking toward shore, because you know you heard someone.

“Down here. Right in front of you.”

You look, and swimming in front of you is a big, beautiful sturgeon. In fisherman, tall-tale terms, he’s at least as long as you are tall. Your first thought is, I wish had my fishing pole with me. Your second thought is, Did that sound come from a fish? Surely a fish can’t talk. And then you remember, This isn’t a true story; Jered’s only using it as a silly anecdote in his blog.

The sturgeon speaks again. “Hello? Do you see me?”

“Yes,” you reply still confused.

“Could you help me out for a second? I have an important question.”

“What’s that?”

“The ocean,” the sturgeon says. “Is the ocean real?”

“How did you hear about the ocean?”

“A friend of mine swam upstream. He said that the river goes in the ocean, and that the ocean is so big, and awesome, and it has waves, and it’s awe-inspiring, and everyone needs to see it at least once before they die, it’s THAT amazing! But I don’t know if I believe him. Is it real?”

“Yes, it’s real.”

“Can I really go there?”

At this point in the conversation, you have to pause.

What could you possibly tell your new sturgeon friend that will convince him that going to the ocean is a bad idea? How do you explain saltwater to a freshwater fish? How do you tell a fish, God’s beautiful creation, that “Yes, the ocean is real, and vast, and beautiful, but no, you can’t go there”?

He might say, “Can I at least go to the beach? My friend said humans like to watch the ocean from the beach. Maybe I can chill there with you?”

How do you explain that, since he’s a fish with gills, he needs water to breathe air? “But why would I need water to breathe when I’ll just be closer to the oxygen I need for breathing?”

How do you tell this fish that he can’t do what he longs to do because it will literally kill him?

You might be wondering, Why am I asking you these questions? Why does any of this matter?

It matters because, some days, I’m the sturgeon.

I’m the sturgeon.

And if you’re honest with yourself, I think some days you’re the sturgeon too.

How many times have you argued with God?

More times than I care to admit, I’m asking God to take me to the ocean, but I get frustrated.

“God, you made the ocean! You made nature and saw that it was good! I want to see it first hand. I want to be there, but you won’t take me.”

Let me tell you the truth. When we pray, God always answers. Sometimes, He says “Yes,” sometimes He says “No.”

Sometimes, He says, “Son, if I give you what you’re asking for, you will die. It doesn’t matter how good you are at swimming when your gills can’t stand the salt.”

Now, it’s true that if God can do anything, He can transform a freshwater fish into a saltwater fish. It’s true that God could lift me up out of the water and take me to the beach, and he could even change my gills so I can breathe the air directly out of water.

But you know what’s also true?

Just as humans are infinitely smarter and wiser than fish in the ways of biology, ecology, and general watershed science, the Creator is infinitely wiser than the ones He created.

If God made me to swim in a lake, me trying to swim out of the lake down the river into the ocean is counterintuitive, sinful, and dangerous all around. However, if God calls me beyond the lake, he will lead, transform, and equip me with whatever I need whenever that time comes for me to step into my calling.

Whatever the “Ocean” symbolizes for you, the truth is you may never understand why that ocean appears perpetually off-limits.

But the Lord your God is wise. Maybe it’s not off limits and he just has a different plan for you in this season. Or maybe it’ll kill you because your gills can’t handle the salt.

Either way, if your faith is in God, that means your trust is in God, which also means you should be able to release God from your own ideas, plans, and ulterior motives.

Just as a freshwater fish can’t get mad that he can’t survive in the ocean, I can’t hold God to fulfill my every whim as if He’s some kind of genie.

God is wise.

And until He takes me to my ocean on HIS own terms, according to HIS plan for HIS glory, my only choice is to keep on swimming in the lake in which he’s placed me.