The Starfish
In the
past starfish were dredged up from oyster
and mussel beds where they fed, ripped apart, and thrown back into the sea in the belief
that they were dead and could do no more damage. Far from itCthe injured starfish grew new arms from the torn body
parts to form two new animals.
Starfishes are not alone in the curious habit
of replacing bits of themselves. Crabs and lobsters are able to regrow a leg or claw they
have lost in a fight. The
earthworm can replace its head if it loses the front of its
body. Lizards can grow a new tail if necessary.
We are reminded of the life of the one who has trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. The believer=s life is full of surprises, even contrasts. Paul writes in Galatians 2:20 AI am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.@ Again he says in 2 Corinthians 4:8B9 "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." Life bombards the true child of God with many hard things and troubles, things that would rip us apart and tear us in two if it were not for the Lord=s supply of all we need.
God intends that problems and pressures should make us increase, that instead of hurting us they should make us grow, increasing in strength, showing twice as much life as before. If you are a child of God, take a lesson from the starfish. Instead of letting troubles kill your life and testimony for the Lord, let them cause it to increase.
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