anchovies -vs- swordfish
My family’s been watching the Life series on the Discovery Channel, narrated by
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey.
Tonight’s episode was about the fantastic and sometimes grotesque lives of ocean fish.
One fish, in particular, really caught my attention — the anchovy.
Now, on my pizza, I’d rate the anchovy in the grotesque category, but in their ocean habitat they definitely fantastic.
Swimming together in a shiny silvery mass, called a shoal, they dart around as one due to their highly developed sensory system.
And sticking together makes them really tough to catch.
A shoal of anchovies
Because no matter how quickly a predator like a marlin, or a shark dives at the shoal, their teeth flashing, mouth opened wide, the shoal quickly dart away in a mass or spreads out into a circle that the predator plunges through, empty-mouthed and frustrated out the other side.
“The fishes unity is its strength.“, Oprah Winfrey narrates, ” The exasperated predator gives up and goes after easier prey.”
Remember this scene from “Finding Nemo” starring Anchovies? (or maybe Sardines, or herrings. They all swim the same)
And here’s a clip showing the real thing:
Now, the Anchovy has an important lesson to teach today’s Christian. Why? Well, first, they’re a salty little fish swimming about in a great big ocean. Sounds like us. We’re supposed to be salty little Christians in this great big world. See?
“You are the salt of the earth.” Matthew 5:13
And what does salt do? It adds flavor to food, and it preserves food and mummies and other things AND it cleans in the form of shampoos. So, we’re supposed to spice up our world, preserve the good, and live clean lives. Salt.
And, like the Anchovy, we’re surrounded by sharp-toothed predators with big stomachs…
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
So, swim like an anchovy, Christian. Stick close to your salty sisters and brothers. Shoal would be smart of you!
Remember, there’s safety in numbers. Say it with me — fellowship. It’s a lifesaver!
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
The Anchovy Prayer: “Oh Father in heaven, thank you for loving me and making me the salt of the earth and light of the world. Thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help me to love them more, encourage them better, pray for them regularly and meet their needs when I can.
I confess I’ve been a little shellfish sometimes. Make me an anchovy, a salty Christian for Christ! In Jesus’ name, AMEN!”
Gloriadelia 