I love the sound of a bubbling creek. I don’t know where the water begins or where it ends, only that it is passing by at that very moment. It never stops flowing, it just keeps going.
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them (John 7:38 NIV).
Every time I see a stream I think about salmon and how they have to swim upstream, and it amazes me. They work so hard fighting that current to get to the spawning spot, only to die a week later.
Sometimes, I feel like a salmon. Whenever I struggle with something, I feel like I’m going nowhere. It’s like an invisible wall was put in my path. Eventually, with God’s help, I make it through that struggle, and unlike the salmon, I feel alive! I know I have God in my corner, so whatever this world throws at me, I will survive! I just need to focus on what’s important.
We’re all downstream, fighting our way to the top. Day-to-day struggles can make us feel like giving up, but we need to stand strong and hang in there. We need to keep fighting that invisible force. We need to give our troubles and struggles over to God and let Him guide us through our days. He will not let us give up, if we surrender all to Him.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:10–12 NIV).
Salmon have a purpose. Once they fulfill that purpose, they cease to exist. We, too, have a purpose. We need to find that purpose and do our best to fulfill it. In prayer and devotion, we can meet all of God’s expectations for us. And when this life is over and we have fulfilled our purpose, unlike the salmon, we will live!
So, keep swimming upstream. I know it can be hard sometimes, but the reward will be worth all the struggles. See you at the top!
Debbie Mitchell