Cardinal tetras are the Michael Phelps of the underwater world.
They are lightning fast, able to move across an aquarium in the blink of an eye. Literally. Have an aquatic turtle? These are the fish you want to share its tank, because they can twitch and be feet away, safe from becoming a turtle’s hors d’oeuvre.
A North Carolina family purchased fifty cardinal tetras for an empty tank. As schooling fish, they huddled at the bottom of their new home, finding safety in the company of their own species. When they were fed for the first time, most waited for the food to float to the bottom, but several brave souls darted to the surface to snatch the tiny morsels of food as soon as the tasty tidbits hit the water, before darting back into the crowd just as fast. Their hunger overcame their fear, and they got the best of the feast.
It’s when Christians are willing to leave the safety of the church and dash after God’s blessings that we become mighty warriors for Christ. Just like those tetras, though, it’s okay to rejoin the group, to head back to the church, to gather with our Christian friends once we’ve tasted the goodness of God. That’s where our support and our safety in Christ is.
We can’t school too long, however, or we’ll never get the best of what God wants for us. It’s the level of our hunger for God that we must let drive us. Our desire for God has to overcome our fear of the world, so that we can get the best of God’s spiritual feast.
Here’s the cheering section calling out for our success:
2 Timothy 1:7 says to go for the gold, that we can’t be held back.
“God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
1 Corinthians 16:13 tells us our ability to move quickly after God is found in our determination.
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men [and women], be strong.”
Psalm 27:3 assures us even the scary monsters can’t separate us from the power and blessing of God.
“Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.”
Isaiah 41:10 is our cup of courage and our added speed to do all that God requires of us.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Michael Phelps just kept on winning the gold. The bravest tetras got the choice food. We get the best of Christ when we charge fearlessly after him.
When Jesus calls to us, we should be the lightning that gets his will done.
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