Thursday, June 17, 2010

Vitamin Cuttlefish



I've never thought of sea creatures as "cute," much less "cuddly," but that's just the adjectives the cuttlefish brought to my mind the other day. I'd never seen one of these puppy-faced fish, but the aquarium in Sea World boasts a loveable little collection. The children and I stood and stared at them, marveling at their friendly appearance, and then I read their information sheet.


Cuttlefish are remarkable because they can change the texture and color of their skin when they sense danger. If the threat persists, they release a cloud of ink to confuse their predator.


Wow, I thought. Not only are they cute, but clever, too. I spent the rest of the day imagining myself as a a cuttlefish, able to dimple my skin and change its hue at the drop of a ... a ... fishhook. What a marvelous skill!


But then I grew concerned. To exhibit this trait in my real, on-shore existence would mean blending in with the crowd and the culture in order to avoid any conflict. And as a Christian, I know that being 'of the world' is the last thing I should aim for, even to avoid persecution.


But what if my backdrop were changed? What if, when threatened, I were able to become more like Christ ... so that my life was 'hid in Him' and my Enemy were unable to find me? Now that's a defense strategy I can aim for! Those sweet little fish have a lesson for me after all.

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