I love going to aquariums. Places like Sea World and the Monterey Aquarium fascinate me and I could spend hours there, moving from one aquarium to the next.
I even enjoy going to BassPro or Cabela’s and seeing the large tanks that they have in the center of their stores. It’s fascinating to watch the fish in a near-natural environment.
But what if the fish, looking out, became discontented with its environment. What if it decided it didn’t want to be cloistered and became jealous of those strange-looking creatures on the other side who could walk on two legs and could come and go as they please.
Sounds like a good plot for a Disney movie, right?
There is real truth to be found here at the aquarium. In the giant tank the temperature is right for optimal growth and comfort. The water pH is balanced which keeps micro-organisms from breeding too quickly or too slowly. Although contained, aquarium life provides the maximum benefit for each creature in its ecosphere. To attempt life outside of this housing would certainly mean death.
The same premise holds true for those of us on the outside of the glass enclosure. For us to attain a life of aquatic liberty would be disastrous. Our lungs are not equipped to extract oxygen from the water nor is our skin adapted for a continued exposure to it. We were created for a different purpose.
I am amazed at how often some judge our lives as Christians as too confining, restrictive and limited. Some think that because we are Christians we aren’t allowed to have any fun or experience the fullness of life. Their judgement is that we are isolated and out of touch. However, that perspective is completely wrong. When we live our lives “in Christ” we are able to experience life at its optimal level.
“You must depend on Christ only, drawing life and strength from him. Just as you were taught the truth, continue to grow stronger in your understanding of it. And never stop giving thanks to God.
8 Be sure you are not led away by the teaching of those who have nothing worth saying and only plan to deceive you. That teaching is not from Christ. It is only human tradition and comes from the powers that influence this world. 9 I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. 10 And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.” Colossians 2:7-10 ERV
There is no life that has greater fulfillment that the life that we have in Christ. In Christ, we have everything we need to live life to its fullest, much the same as the fish who live in the aquarium. I know that’s an inadequate comparison but I think you see my point.
When the Apostle Paul was preaching in Athens he noticed that they had built a shrine for “the unknown god”. This is what Paul said to them.
“He is the God who made the whole world and everything in it. He is the Lord of the land and the sky. He does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 He is the one who gives people life, breath, and everything else they need. He does not need any help from them. He has everything he needs. 26 God began by making one man, and from him he made all the different people who live everywhere in the world. He decided exactly when and where they would live.
27 “God wanted people to look for him, and perhaps in searching all around for him, they would find him. But he is not far from any of us. 28 It is through him that we are able to live, to do what we do, and to be who we are. As your own poets have said, ‘We all come from him.’” Acts 17:24-28 ERV
Verse 28 is also translated to say “ For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” (KJV)
In Him we find our very existence; the reason and purpose for our lives. Our belief and adherence to God’s word isn’t restricting us; it’s giving us the ultimate expression of life!
In Christ we have a great, full, overflowing life!