Dr. Lewis Gregory
During a fishing trip with my son Andrew, I observed something very interesting. He hooked a large bass, and attempted to land it after just a short while. I cautioned Drew to wait, because it looked like the fish had more “fight” in him. Sure enough, the fish gave one more surge, flipped himself free of the hook, and swam away. I’m sure anyone who’s ever fished has experienced this same frustration. Fortunately, Drew has caught plenty more to make up for it!
As I reflected upon this, I thought, how amazing it is that the fish had such strength. He was able to overcome a grown man, many times his size. I thought of the phrase “a fish out of water.” A fish, in his element, has phenomenal strength. Yet, once you get him out of the water, he is quite powerless.
In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is symbolized by water. Just as water is the element for the fish, so the Holy Spirit is your element. As a believer, you are “in the Spirit” and therefore you are strong “in the Lord.” Since Christ is the source of your strength, you can now do all things through Him. But only as you walk in the Spirit, will you experience His mighty power.
Do you feel powerless, weak, or defeated? If so, then you are outside of your element. You are relying on your fleshly strength instead of His strength. And that makes you just like a fish out of water!
Remember your true element. You are no longer in the flesh, but in the Spirit. Therefore, cease from your fleshly efforts. Stop living after the flesh and start walking in the Spirit. Now, that’s your true element!
July 13th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Thank you Dr. Gregory for sending me the link to your very uplifting story. Helps you remember where all this beauty comes from.