Lessons From The Fishbowl
It all began when I agreed to fish sit for a co-worker while he was away on vacation. His little aquarium and goldfish came to my office and after a week - I was hooked! Pun intended:) When my co-worker came back to work two weeks later he retrieved 'goldie' and I drove right to the pet store to buy my own tank...and fish....and all that goes with it. It wasn't long after that that we had a fish tank at home in our kitchen as well.
I learned some things through that experience. Some fish love company. They actually thrive when they can swim in "schools" of similar fish. And some fish, like beta fish, don't play well with others. In fact, they mostly have to spend time in their own little boring fishbowl because they puff up to scare off the others if they're in the same tank with other fish. I also learned that some fish will stay just about the same size as they get older and other fish will keep growing to the size of their environment.
Sound familiar? Come to think of it...we are a LOT like those fish. Some of us love to hang out with people just like us. We love the company. While some of us are just as happy to keep to ourselves and stick to the fringe. Sometimes we just don't play well with others and we find ourselves in our own little bubble either of our own doing or because everyone else just doesn't quite know what to do with us.
I think ALL of us will grow to the size of our environment. We were made to fill the earth! God created the whole earth and all that is in it and then He made us. This is what happened next between God and Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28: "God gave them His blessing and said: Have a lot of children! Fill the earth with people and bring it under your control. Rule over the fish in the ocean, the birds in the sky, and every animal on the earth." (CEV)
I believe the fruitful part of that command wasn't just about having children. I believe that as God made us in His image...the Great Creator gave us creative gifts to do amazing things. Live well. Honor God and fill as much space as we can for His Kingdom and His Glory. Keep growing to the size of your current environment and watch for God to enlarge your territory.
Read more devotions written by Denise Harper at Treasured Inside
