Fish-Tank Living … Hello Hump Day friends and family. You are probably wondering what is ‘fish-tank-living?’ and what on earth does it have to do with a devotion. I would say the same thing but then again, my experience with a beautiful aquarium I saw in a pet shop while shopping for a new collar for Moose, our LabraDane, is actually the perpetrator of this whole idea for a devotion.

As beautiful as that tank was plus the many other ones with fish that had spectacular colors and sizes, I couldn’t help but think of ‘captivity’ – they can’t get out. And if they do, it is because someone bought them and then they go home to another tank so no change for them. They live life in an isolated glass box. All I could think was “what a sad existence.”

Yesterday I was at the doctor’s office and when I left, three intersections I had to wait for had people in their own “fish-bowls” homeless, tired, needing help, and like those fish, living in captivity that included not just homelessness, but the hurt of body, soul and mind. And that’s when the Holy Spirit spoke loudly—she does that often but of course, being the “mothering mind of God” we should expect it. Her words were succinct: “Cyndy, that is what life is like without God.” I carry little cash but what I could give was the tiniest pebble in a huge pond they were sinking in.

The statistics of the Covid-19 pandemic showed how millions of people were living like those fish in the tank. Boxed in, can’t get out, and when it was OK to get out, they were afraid to get out, at least they knew just what awaited them in their ‘tank.’ Their hearts were troubled, fear of getting ill and just plain fear of “what’s out there.” Statistics tell us that millions of people live that way with or without a pandemic. It is hard for me to fathom that until my own health issues came up front and in my face these past two months. Perhaps this is why the Spirit spoke to me because she knew I was falling into my own tank and way too comfortable to even swim or venture out (something that is truly not me). Pain can do that, and in our world there is a lot of pain, not just health but broken relationships, no finances, prodigal living—you can add a lot more but I think you get the ‘fish-tank’ problem.

God has created us for much more than just existence here on earth. And the very fact that we can think about a life beyond this one is a testament to God’s eternal plans for us and this thought picked me out of my funk to realize this life has junk but eternity won’t so open the door and quit whining! We don’t always get what we want in life, yet God has provided us with everything we need to live our lives.

Fish-tank living is best labeled as “discouragement.” I don’t know about you, but living with a discouraging attitude is not something I want to embrace long-term (or even short-term). This brings me to the encouraging word from John 14:1-3. Often used at funerals—and perhaps it applies to our ‘living discouragement-funerals’, is a reminder that we will not live in a fish tank forever. Using The Voice translation, take to heart what Jesus says: 

“Don’t get lost in despair; believe in God, and keep on believing in Me.
My Father’s home is designed to accommodate all of you.
If there were not room for everyone, I would have told you that.
I am going to make arrangements for your arrival.
I will be there to greet you personally and welcome you home,
where we will be together.”

So, let’s not get discouraged when our “fish tank” isn’t everything we want – or even if it is. Like those fish—keep swimming. Life can be tough, but living with unshakable confidence in God gives us the hope of God’s plans for us now and for eternity. And when you encounter someone who is stuck in their tank, down and out and discouraged, share the good news of the Gospel. Tell them that one day, God will reach down, take us out of this tank and bring us to his eternal home—where there are no fish-bowls. Instead, we’ll live with freedom in Christ and the joy of his blessed presence. If that doesn’t change us from discouraged to encouraged, what else can? Until then, keep swimming. AMEN.