The fish bowl......

My kids surprised Christie and I one day several months back by telling us they were saving their money for a "fish fund". Really.....??? When did we decide we were adding another family pet? Please, please, please.......
As you have guessed, they won! After all, it is a good exercise in hard work and discipline to earn and save money to purchase something yourself. Even better when something else "fun" comes along and the decision to raid the coffer is made. I was glad to see them struggle with those decisions and deal with the consequences.
The day finally came and we purchased a brand new, 16 gallon aquarium complete with all the fixin's. Funny thing is, you can't just take it out, fill it up, and then add fish! After several days of washing gravel and water additives, we are ready for the fish. I must admit I'm just as excited as the kids are! We're getting FISH.......aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

The water temperature may be the trickiest part of the aquarium. Certain fish need the water to be a certain temperature to survive. Guess what temperature the water will naturally become without intervention....... room temperature. The only way to intervene is to change the room temperature (which isn't practical) or literally insert a heater into the water.

The spiritual story behind the story: we are called by God to enter the culture and to influence it for Christ, without being changed ourselves. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:16 to “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” This is actually the theme verse for our student ministry. Pastor Josh is challenging students to let the light of Christ "illuminate" the darkness around them.

Are you allowing the light of Christ to illuminate the world you live and work in? Are you influencing for Christ or being influenced by the world and people around you?

I want to live in a way that influences people for Christ! I want to be in the world but living a counter-cultural lifestyle that takes focus off me and brings glory to God. When we do this, He will take care of the rest, drawing people to himself.