A Lesson On Heed

In case you didn't know, we homeschool our two children. Once a month, my second grader has to do an oral reading test where I test him on pronunciation of words, reading speed, and comprehension. Because the curriculum we use didn't give me additional short stories to have him read, I had to make up and write my own stories. The below story was written when my oldest child was in second grade, but the lesson it teaches is timeless. 

As with anything I do, I give all the glory and credit to the Holy Spirit. He knew that someday I would need to share this story again, so that someone would read it and perhaps take it to heart. It's a cute little story, but one we all need to remember. 

The Foolish Fish

There was once a large lake where many fish lived. One sunny day, a big hungry fish was sitting by a rock on the bottom of the lake. It was a pretty day and the water was warm and calm.  He heard a plop and a splash, and he looked up to see a wriggling worm sinking down in the water. Hungry, the fish started to swim up to eat the worm.

“Wait!” Cried a wise fish. “Do not eat that worm or else you will die!” 

The hungry fish stopped, not sure of what to do. “Why will I die if I eat that worm?” The hungry fish asked the wise fish.

The wise fish said that he had seen many other big fish like him eat the worms, only to be taken out of the water and never seen again. The wise fish swam away and the big hungry fish decided to go back to his rock. Maybe there would be a better worm that would not be so dangerous for him to eat. 

The hungry fish became even more hungry and no other worms had fallen into the water. He looked up and saw that the worm was still there, but it had drifted along further in the water. As he watched the worm, another hungry fish, a small one, swam very fast and ate the worm! The hungry fish watched as the small fish who ate the worm, was suddenly pulled up out of the water. 

Scared, the big hungry fish swam fast to his rock and hid. Not long after, a big splash sounded and the hungry fish peeked around his rock to see. There was the small fish who had eaten the worm! He was not dead!

“That wise fish lied to me! He is not so wise now,” thought the hungry fish. “You may go out of the lake, but you come back again after a few minutes. That must mean that these worms can make you fly! I want to fly like a bird and see the wide world.” 

The big hungry fish watched the water above him, eager to eat the very next worm that plopped into the water. Before long, with a splash and a plop, another worm sunk down in the water. It wiggled and wiggled, a big fat juicy worm. The big hungry fish swam as fast as he could to his yummy lunch that would make him fly in bliss for a few minutes. Halfway to the worm, the wise fish met and stopped him again.

“Remember, you will die if you eat that worm....” the wise fish warned. 

“Do not bother me! I saw with my own eyes what happens when you eat the worm. I will fly just like the other fish did and come back to the water safe and sound!” 

The wise fish swam away sad that the hungry fish did not believe his warning. The hungry fish didn't give the wise fish another thought as he rushed to the wiggling worm. As soon as the big hungry fish ate the worm, yank! He was pulled out of the water and into a fisherman’s boat. With a painful tug, the worm was ripped out of his mouth and he was put into a bucket.

Scared, the foolish fish cried out for help as loud as he could, but no one heard him. The fisherman, happy that he had finally caught a big fish to eat, went home to cook it. The first fish to eat the worm, hid under his log and thanked God that he was too small for the fisherman to eat and promised to warn every fish about those deadly worms.

The wise fish knew that there was danger with eating the worm but, the big foolish fish did not listen to the warnings. Because he ate the worm, he was perfect for the fisherman to eat and died a horrible death. Listen to the warnings given by those who know when there is danger!

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How relevant is the moral of this story today! Has the Lord not repeatedly sent His servants to warn those who are of the world to repent and follow Him? Has He not repeatedly rebuked the lukewarm church and called them to leave their idolatry and sin, to return to Jesus Christ, their first Love? 

Repent, lest you get swept away with the wicked! Heed our warnings church, for judgment begins with you! Forsake the gods of this earth that you have made room for in your heart and even in your fellowships. Walk away from rebellion! Hate sin! 

Return to the Lord with all of your heart, mind, and soul - obeying His righteous commands. Take up your cross and follow Him. Don't be like the foolish fish who ignored the warnings because he was deceived by his eyes. Everything is not always what it seems! 

Spit out the proverbial fishing lure that the devil has cast out, don't allow his hook to ensnare you. You will be reeled in and swept away with the wicked. Heed those to whom the Lord is using to warn the people. Trust in the Lord alone, follow Him alone, seek Him and know His voice. The time is coming when we will no longer be able to warn you, the choice you make will be too late. Choose Jesus, choose Him! He is ready and willing to forgive those who come to Him with truly repentant hearts, intent of following Him even unto death. 

But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 

- Galatians 4:9