Lent - Part 2

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. (Ecclesiastes 9:10 ESV). There's a saying that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. But is it? When the boys were young we had a twenty-gallon aquarium. It was pretty, but we had one problem, and that was algae. Algae grows in the tank; and, if unchecked it will eventually cover the walls and decorations. So I bought an algae eater. I carefully picked out a fish that looked big enough to eat all the algae. To keep him strong and help him grow, we bought the algae eater special food to be sure he had a balanced diet. When another fish started nipping at our new algae eater, we put that fish in a separate tank. So the algae eater really was a special fish to my family, with a special purpose in life. The first thing I did each morning was to look in the tank for the algae eater. One morning, he was gone! I peered into the aquarium behind the decorations, plants and rocks, but we couldn't spot the fish. Finally, we found him dead on the floor behind the aquarium. During the night the algae eater had jumped out of the aquarium through a small opening at the back of the aquarium's cover. I wondered why would the fish jump out? There was a special purpose for his life. We provided everything he needed in the tank to be happy and productive. What could he have been seeking? The algae eater was looking for something different, presumably something better--"greener grass." In doing so, he missed a great opportunity to make a significant contribution where he was. Do you live by the "if only's"? This involves sitting around and thinking that if only something were different, you could be happier or more successful. For example, "If only I had a different education or skill, I could." "If only I had more money, I could." If only he (or she) would love me, I would be happy." If only...if only...if only.... In effect, this is looking for greener grass. But contrary to the saying, the grass is not greener on this side of the fence. And it is not greener on the other side of the fence. The grass is greener where it is watered. Nothing positive is accomplished by idle wishes, relying on excuses, and complaining. What are you doing where you are, with what you have, to achieve your desires and goals? Are you taking steps to strengthen your beliefs and faith so you can withstand the daily onslaught of negative forces like stress and frustration? The Lenten Season is a wonderful opportunity to examine the wonder of where you are in life. 1 Corinthians 12:18 tells us that God has arranged the parts of the body of Christ exactly as He wants them. So there is a reason believers are in particular jobs, communities, churches and families. Avoid being like the algae eater, and missing an opportunity to make a significant contribution where you are.