Discipleship

Do You Know the Difference Between a Fish and a Snake?

Some wise words from Michael Kelley:

Do you know the difference between a fish and a snake?

Of course you do. Right?

But I’m not so sure about myself. They both have scales, after all. Truth is, I think I actually ask for a snake lots of times, though I think I’m asking for a fish.

Jesus, in commenting on the caring and giving nature of God the Father asked us to consider:

“Which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Mat 7:9-11)

If this is true about God, then surely the opposite is also true: “Which one of you, if his son asks him for a serpent, will actually give it to him?”

Not me. I’d tell my sons that a snake would hurt them. That it’s dangerous. And that I know they think it’s cool, but it’s better to have a fish instead, even though they don’t think a fish is what they want.

Perhaps this is why God sometimes answers me with a “No.” Even though I think I’m asking for a fish, I’m really asking for a snake.

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