There is a parable of a fish that lived in a beautiful lake. There were plenty of bugs and worms to eat and there were plenty of places to hide from the dreaded fishermen. Additionally, he had complete freedom to swim anywhere in the entire lake that he desired, from the depths to the shallows. It was his domain.
One day, however, he spied a raccoon walking along side of the water. The critter splashed at the shore momentarily before catching a glimpse of the observant fish. He started running back and forth upon the bank, laughing and frolicking all the while. He looked at the fish and said, “Why don’t you come up here on the land, so you can have some real fun.” The fish replied that he could not. The animal smirked and ran back into the woods.
Day after day the fish thought about his encounter. He started resenting the limitations the water presented. He wanted to roll in the grass and feel the sunshine on his scales. He wanted to interact with the other animals, playing and laughing with them. He complained to God about the restrictions that He had placed on him; after all, there was so much more to experience in life.
The fish complained and murmured almost every day until God gave him his request and placed him upon the shore. (Psalms 106:15) The fish so enjoyed his newfound freedom for a few a couple of minutes before he realized he could not breathe. Moments later, he died. Along came the raccoon which made a quick end of the tasty fish.
It was in the context of the water that God had made the fish to thrive. While living in that context, he had complete freedom to go wherever he wanted, but the moment he desired to go outside the parameters God had made for him, death was there.
Edmund Burke said:
“Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains on their own appetites … It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters.”
The result of unfettered freedom is bondage. Still, man cries to “Be free!” Their cry for freedom usually manifests in some type of sin. Jesus described their situation very clearly, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” (John 8:34)
The Sirens of our modern day culture sing to our youth melodies of sensual pleasures on the shores of life. Sadly, they do not understand that unrestricted freedom is no freedom at all as sin always leads to death. (Romans 6:16; James 1:15) As parents we must constantly speak to our children the truth that it is only when we walk in self-controlled lifestyles, that we get to experience true freedom, for those who are free in Him are free indeed. (John 8:32)
As summer is officially here and many fishing rods are now out of hibernation, what a perfect time to share the story of the fish who wanted to be free.
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