Swimming with Sharks

In the summer of 1998, my husband and I were newly married, and in our carefree, exciting new love, we were feeling rather invincible. Maybe that’s why we were out farther in the ocean than usual for an evening swim during our trip to Myrtle Beach.

Around dusk, we suddenly found ourselves in the middle of a school of fish. I mean, really in the middle. They were leaping frantically over our heads, jumping right out of the water. We thought it was hilarious. We just kept swimming and laughing and didn’t once question what might be making the fish hurl themselves above the surface. It was a fun evening with no worries.

The next day we attended a free educational event about sharks. It was interesting until the instructor started explaining things that can indicate the presence of sharks. You guessed it—one indicator is schools of fish jumping out of the water. When the fish are frantic and jumping rather high and in large numbers, sharks are probably below them, feeding and driving them to the surface. We asked the instructors if they thought we were swimming with sharks the previous evening. “Definitely,” was their answer. Excuse me?

Here’s the thing: With little doubt, we were frolicking in the middle of some significant predators that night, but we didn’t know it. Yet I remember being out far enough to be a little scared. I could feel myself lift out of the water, often not finding sand underneath. I was in over my head and in the middle of feeding sharks. Hmm.

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me” (Psalm 138:7 NIV). Honestly, I had peace in the middle of sharks not because I was focused on this verse. I would have been terrified if I had known I was swimming with creatures that could eat me. I mean, who wouldn’t? I was at peace because I was newly married, in love, it was summertime, and the sunset would be coming soon to end a perfect day. I was happy in my circumstances and didn’t know I was in the middle of potential danger.

This illustration applies to my life so well. I have had a difficult three years with a pregnancy that was hard on my body and has left some lasting pain; a baby we were told could die in my womb; a difficult job for my husband; wounds from Christians we have loved and admired for years; and the loss of grandparents. And this is what we could see. We don’t know what God has shielded us from during this time.

In difficult times I find myself working to keep my eyes on Christ. Then when easy, happy times come, I tend to feel invincible and take my eyes off him, relying on myself. But from my time with the sharks, I learned I must not take my eyes off Christ on any day. In the happy times, when he may be saving me from dangers I cannot see, I should be ever mindful of his grace. I should be thankful every day. He should have my worship every day. I should not thrust my hand upward in surrender only when I feel my feet leave the sand and the waves rise. He is there always, working for my good. On mundane days when I don’t feel I need him, I do. I want to be more mindful of his presence and his grace. I want to enjoy him in the good and lean on him just as much as I do in the bad. He doesn’t always stop the shark from biting, but he is always with us.

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“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV). Tomorrow and in the coming days, try to see him there, fighting battles you may not even know he’s winning for you. And praise him every day for his love.

Gina Grizzle is a wife, mama, and aspiring writer who has a passion to share her life with other women in order to encourage them to be the best they can for the kingdom. At home in East Tennessee, Gina loves to fluff her nest, squeeze her sweet kids, and read books. She blogs at ginagrizzle.blogspot.com.

Photograph © Syd Sujuaan used with permission