The trout thrashed wildly as it swam upstream, darting side-to-side against the undercurrent and rising above the rapids on its quest to reach the final goal. It weaved in and out of fallen branches, searching for the perfect path. Once found, it swam freely to a calmer place where it could rest and gather its strength.
But the fish didn’t keep going after its well-deserved rest. Instead, this fish turned around and headed back the way it had come.
You see, this trout was stronger than the rest. He was prepared to battle the river and face possible death to get the others through. I saw the smaller trout waiting in a shallow recess way behind where the bigger fish had been struggling. They waited for the bigger fish, stronger and more experienced, to show them the way. More and more gathered to wait with them.
No doubt, their smaller bodies would have succumbed to the rapids and whirlpools on the way to spawn. But the leader came back for them and again started on the path through, patiently waiting for each one to follow, and turning back if one was swept downstream by the current.
I watched in utter amazement as these fish followed the leader, and the leader, in turn, refused to let any of the group be left behind.
We Follow Our Lord
I thought of our Lord, leading His disciples and how they followed His leadership, knowing He was a good teacher. He didn’t give up, and He finished his mission; to lead everyone who would accept, to salvation.
John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Here, Christ is teaching His followers to follow His example and love each other. As His disciples, we are called to follow Him as He shows us the way we need to go. Without Him we would suffer amidst the evil of the world, or be swept away by the deceptive undercurrents. Yet, following our great Teacher, we persevere toward the goal with the assurance He will lead the way.
Lord, teach us Your ways so we may be willing to show others how much You love them.
Written as a lesson for a devotional course. This is an actual event I observed as I sat by the river. I was there for quite a while, fascinated by the scene playing out before my eyes.
Til next time, know you are loved by the One who created you in His image.
~ Lynne
Resource – if you’d like to learn how to write devotionals, email Marcia Laycock at vinemarc@telus.net
Lynne Collier 