FISH OUT OF WATER

Imagine swimming along, minding your own business and then the next thing you know, you are in the fight of your life.  Last week I had an opportunity of a lifetime given to me by my good friend (and brother in law, and Pastor of Cowboy Junction church, and fellow coach of our sons' team, and now fishing buddy) Ty Bean to go to Montana fly fishing for trout.  We had a blast hanging out with several pastors and church leaders and hosted by Refuge ministries who minister to pastors and give them a time away and a place to catch lots of fish.
We went out each day with some great guides who were patient, very knowledgeable about fishing and also blessed with quick reflexes (lots of hooks flying around their heads and all).  While they rowed the boat, we fished.  And boy did we fish.  We caught so many fish, that we lost count.  Fun is an understatement.  But the thing I loved the most was not only the catch but the release.
You see, trout are a very delicate and fragile fish.  You cannot just catch them and then chuck them back in the water.  They require a little tender loving care.  After catching one, the guide would carefully take the hook out and then slowly lower the fish into the water facing it upstream and holding it still, lightening his grip until the fish gets his bearings and gills acclimated to the water again.  Then when the fish is ready, he slowly swims away back to his home.
I finally got to try it myself.  At first, the fish was resistant and tried to flop away.  Then when I lowered him into the water, he just stayed there.  Finally when it was time, he slowly swam away and hung out right there with me until he decided to take off into deeper waters.  It was truly amazing.  A bond with nature that is hard to forget.
Sometimes in life, we can feel like that fish.  We are in the fight of our life being pulled by a force that we cannot shake and taken places that we do not want to go.  We are caught and out of our element, disoriented and confused.  Then we allow God to take us in his hands.  He gently takes the hook that has ensnared us, and sets us back into the water where it is not only safe but our home.  As we wait to get our direction and bearings, he holds on to us keeping us faced in the right direction. And when we are ready, he gently lets go and lets us swim on our own.
The problem is, the more we fight, the worse it gets.  The sooner we learn to trust God, the better we will be. Psalm 7:1 says "O Lord my God, in You I put my trust; save me from all those who persecute me; and deliver me."  The enemy will try to catch you, persecute you, and devour you, God seeks to deliver you.  Trust in him and you will be saved.
And another bit of advice, avoid food with strings attached.