Be the Gar

Okay, so I'm an admitted science geek.  That established, I'd also like to confess my addiction to documentaries.  Almost any type of scientific or historical documentary is guaranteed to grab my attention.  I usually record them so my family doesn't have to be tortured by my tedious interests.  A few nights ago, I was watching a show about the Aligator Gar.  It's a very interesting species for many reasons.  One of which is, that it can be found right here in Southwest Oklahoma.  The gar is a prehistoric fish that has survived because it can do something that most other fish cannot. 

When the hot Oklahoma sun dries the summer air, many of our small ponds and watering holes begin to dry up and are cut off from the original source of water.  Once the water source is cut off, the water becomes stagnant.  Stagnant water is not moving and becomes depleted of oxygen.  When the oxygen is gone from the water, the organisms in the water begin to die.  But not the Gar.  When the Gar needs air, it simply goes to the surface of the water and gulps air directly through its mouth.  So, when the Gar is cut off from the life giving oxygen it needs, it finds another way to find the life giving air.

Meditate on the word stagnant.  Listen and hear some of the definitions: 
1.  Not moving or flowing; motionless.
2. Foul or stale from staneding.
3. Showing little or no sign of activity or advancement; not developing or progressing
4. Lacking vitality or briskness; sluggish or dull. 

I bet you can guess where this is going.  Every day we are struck with the mundane.  We get into ruts and fail to progress.  We do it at work, home, church, you name it.  We go through the motions of life, but are we really living?  My hope for everyone as we enter the Holiday season and New Year is this; Take a look at the water you're swimming in.  Is it moving, flowing, progessing, and full of life?  Or, is it stagnant, motionless, stale, foul, dead?  If your water is stale, make sure you're connected to the source.  If you find that your connection to the source of life has been severed, find another way to connect.  Whether at work, home, or especially church.  Hit the surface and inhale the sweet breath of life offered through Jesus Christ. He doesn't want his body just standing around motionless and dull; stagnant.  No, His desire is for us to move, progress, and live the life He offers when we are connected to Him.  When we are living that life, breathing Him in, we can share that life with others.  But remember, to live we have to stay connected.  Find a way; whether it means stirring up the water, gulping in air, or moving to a new pond.  Whatever you have to do, just be the Gar!