Loree Johns
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How to Shine in a Dark World Without Falling Into the Swamp

July 1, 2017 by Loree

I dare not breathe.
He’s never been this close before. The least movement will send him into the skies. So like a statue I hunker frozen to the red glider.

He stalks quiet.
Stealthy tiptoe.
A study in patience, he waits…
And eyes his prey.
SPLASH!
Like an arrow to the target, he plunges his long neck into the lake.

Rising triumphant, fish in beak, the Great Blue Heron tucks his knobby knees and soars proud over the waters.

I call him Fred.

He fishes for breakfast as I write. Sometimes Wilma the White Egret joins him and they creep down the dock in tandem. Distracted, I often wonder if they have an instinctual rivalry.

Jeep in the garage, yet house empty?

I know where to find The Preacher who fishes almost every day. I join him often but fish seldom. On the rare occasion that I do take pole in hand and catch one, I’m thrilled with the snag, yet averse to touching the slippery thing. Glad to have my companionship, he unhooks the little fella with a smile and tosses him back into the water.

A dyed-in-the-wool catch and release guy, the fish need not despair, there is every hope to live another day. No fish fry for us any time soon. He practically kisses those bass and lays them gentle back in the water as he whispers, “Hurry and grow bigger.”

But with Fred, there lies scant hope for escape from the belly of the bird.

Clamped in Satan’s jaws there is little hope for our escape from the belly of sin.
But for our Lord who saves us.

Jesus wades deep,

A catch and release kind of Savior.

He catches our free-fall merciful.
He woos us and nurtures us strong.
He frees us from the hook of misdeeds.
He releases us renewed, back into the world.

We can’t hide reclusive from the world,

Shrouded in fear of falling,

Grasping for control of the uncontrollable life we live.

Like the four faithful  fishermen of Galillee,
We are called to walk amongst sinners, and shine a light for them to follow.

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Matthew 4:19

He gives us strength to swim through the swamp,
And asks us to be brave.
And bold,
And emit the brilliant light he entrusted to us.

But he doesn’t ask us to do this thing alone.

He stands alongside us all the way.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14

***************

-What can you do to let your light shine in the world of the lost?

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Posted in: Peace, Pursuit of All Things Godly Tagged: Bold, brave, catch and release, fishing, Fred, Galillee, Great Blue Heron, Jesus, Matthew 4:19, Matthew 5:14, patience, Satan, White Egret, Wilma
← Plan Your Escape: How to Survive in the Deserts of Life
How a Singing Angel In the Gym Reminded Me Where to Find My Treasure →

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Learn how to rewrite your messy stories one grace at a time. In these 52 devotionals, we share stories of hilarity and hardship to uncover how God transforms our mayhem and invites us to live free.
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