Bible Study Verse
John 6:24
Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. (NIV)
Thoughts
This past week, I found myself at the mouth of the Saint Lawrence Seaway whale watching. We were shrouded in fog, and I wondered if the trip was going to be worth it. Were we going to be able to see anything at all with our limited sight distance? The first hour was slow, but when we found the whales, they were everywhere.
For the next two hours, we spotted about 80 different sightings of whales - minke, fin, and hump back. It was exhilarating to see these magnificent creatures up so close - at points within 15 yards of our boat. My favorite part of seeing them surface was seeing the spout of water blow up into the air as they surfaced for a breath.
Our guide explained that these animals are able to stay under water anywhere from five to ten minutes, but eventually they have to surface to catch their breath. God designed them to need air. As much as they seem like a gigantic fish, they aren't, and their bodies don't function that way.
Many people try living their lives without God, but it just doesn't work. They dive into life with the mindset that they can "grind it out," "hunker down," "grit your teeth," and "suck it up" to get through things. But the bottom line is that eventually we need to breathe - we need to truly live in freedom and not just "get through." Our life is designed to need God. As much as we try to do it on our own, we can only go so long without Him.
(Dave M)
Action Point
Let me encourage you today. If you feel like you are drowning or that you need a breath of fresh air and life has got you down, turn to God today and have an honest conversation with Him about where you are. Maybe you aren't really sure if there is a God . . . maybe you are a believer but your faith is waning . . . turn to Him. He will be the breath of fresh air that you need.
God desires a relationship with you; there is no need to try to do it on your own! He designed each of us to need Him. That's not a bad thing. He loved you so much that He sent His very own Son to save you from the very sins you are struggling so desperately with right now. He will be your breath of fresh air to sustain every aspect of your life . . . trust Him.
Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
If you are crossing an international border to hunt or fish, make sure to have the proper ID paperwork readily accessible to make the border crossing as smooth as possible.
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