My husband, parents and I step into the boat and our guide greets us with a smile. “Time to catch some fish,” he says. We’re in Hilton Head to celebrate my Dad’s retirement and we’re doing so this morning by taking part in one of his favorite pastimes.
The boat skips across the waves like a giddy girl at recess. When we finally stop we’re surrounded by unbroken blue. “First, we need to catch our bait,” the guide explains as he reaches for a casting net that reminds me of what Peter might have used in gospel days. I peer into the water and see no sign of fish and yet the net goes out with confidence and comes in full. Our eyes widen at the dozens of small fish.
“How did you know where to find them?” one of us asks. He points to the pelicans sitting close by. “I watch for where they’re working hardest and I know that’s where I want to be too.”
Huh. Maybe I could learn a little something from those pelicans.
I’m starting to discover we don’t have to ask God to work in our lives because he is already doing so. “Jesus said to them, ‘My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.’ ” {John 5:17} Instead we can ask God, “How do you want me to be part of what you’re already doing?” He has a good plan and purpose for you.
If you’re not sure where God is working, look for the “pelicans” that give us evidence of his presence {love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control according to Galatians 5:22-23}. Then point your boat in that direction and get ready to take some holy risks.
When we pulled our boat in we had stories to tell {I caught a shark!}, a bit of sun on our shoulders and smiles on our faces. As I looked back out over the water, I noticed the pelicans circling a new spot. They were following the mysterious currents and beneath the surface the makings of new adventures swam in circles.
Next time I’ll know just where to go…
XOXO
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