A Fish Story

On a reef there was a large fish. He was not an aggressive fish, but because his size was intimidating, the other fish left him alone. The many fishes on the reef were not scared of the large fish. They trusted him to keep the peace in their beautiful neighborhood because of his size. One day a very small fish took a bite from the large fish. The small fish was so small the large fish didn’t notice him, and the small fish only got a piece of the large fish’s scale.

The next day came, and the smallest fish on the reef took another bite from the very large fish; taking away another scale unnoticed by the giant prey. Day after day the routine was the same, the small fish taking one small bite from the large fish, until one day the small fish finally broke through the scales and managed to take a bite from the large fish’s flesh. Although the large fish finally felt the presence of the small fish, the little bite didn’t cause any harm. The large fish politely ignored his small predator and swam on.

One day the large fish began to bleed. The small fish with his tiny mouth and huge dedication was rewarded with flesh. The large fish ached, but the small bite was so small it didn’t hurt. The large fish enjoyed the peaceful neighborhood of the reef. He enjoyed the peaceful presence of his neighbors. He didn’t want to cause a scene by chasing away the small nibbling pest. After all, it was just one little bite…wasn’t it? The large fish was afraid his fellow fishes would think him aggressive or overreacting, so he stayed quiet…and he bled.

Does this story have any relevance to what is occurring in America today? If so, who or what is the large fish? Who or what is the small fish? Should a proverbial line in the sand be drawn, and if so where?

I love peace! I love people! I really want everybody to like me, and I want to like everybody. I am heartbroken by the way our communities have been divided by issues. Now, don’t get me wrong those issues are very important, but are they more important than relationships? One of my favorite movie lines is from the Gladiator when Russel Crowe tells his men,

Whatever comes out of these gates, we have a better chance of survival if we work together. Do you understand…if we stay together we survive.

I believe that line is not just a movie quote. I believe it’s true. Today is the first day of 2022. The last couple of years were rough. Join me. Let’s keep our eyes forward and stay together, but let’s not just survive, let’s thrive!

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33