The Hydroids of Life: Victory Series, Part 30 (Temptation)
I
was fortunate to see many sea creatures while visiting Milford Sound in New
Zealand, but none of them have captivated my interest like the Sea Firs --
"treelike" structures otherwise known as Hydroids.
The name itself makes us think they are a dangerous kind of android, doesn't it?
Something out there to capture us with evil intent. But when you look at these
underwater bonsai trees with their seemingly delicate white leaves gently
swaying in the ocean currents, you have to wonder how such beauty could ever be
able to hurt anything.
Beneath their external beauty however, a beast indeed lurks! The Sea Fir is not
a fir at all. And it's not a plant either! It is actually an animal, and a very
hungry one!
At the tip of this beast's "branches" are polyps which shoot poisonous threads
into the water, imprisoning any microscopic prey in their surroundings! And it
is quite successful in attaining its goal. All the tiny organisms of the sea
that are within its reach become lunch or supper, depending
on the time of day!
Beauty is often deadly, especially if we let our guard down! Too often we lead
dull lives on survival mode, which isn't even surviving at all! What is even
more scary is that we accept this as completely normal, and this kind of
monotonous existence often leads us into "hydroid" neighbourhood. The beauty
overwhelms us, attracting us out of the monotony of our way of living, but
before we know it we are entrapped and unable to break free. Sensuality, lust,
drugs, work, power, religion, and anything else may seem alluring, but they are
far from safe!
To be truthful, most of our deadened existence longs for a heightened level of
stimulation to arouse it, and this leads, in return, to the imprisonment of our
very soul. We are captured by vice, and its grip has forced us away from the One
who can give us real life!
Isn't it sad that what many call "life", is really just the opposite? How can we
call hurting others by our selfishness, "real life"? How can we call leading a
dull life, "real life"?
There is only one way to experience real life and it's away from all these
deadly hydroids that can warp our very thinking: "And so I insist - and God
backs me up on this - that there be no going along with the crowd, the
empty-headed, mindless crowd. They've refused for so long to deal with God that
they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can't think
straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession,
addicted to every sort of perversion." (Eph 4:17-19 The Message)
Deep down, once we are under the power of life's "hydroids", we know we have
been duped. We feel disillusioned, deeply disappointed. But what else is there?
And so we continue our dull living in a downward spiral with no hope in sight.
If only we could wake up and realize there is more to life than survival!
"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10 NIV)
Real life is only possible if true love exists. But how is it even possible when
so many people have ulterior motives? Everyone out there seem to be thinking of
themselves first. But then one day a whisper reaches our ears, and we wonder if
it is really true: "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet
my unfailing love for you will not be shaken..." (Isa 54:10 NIV)
Is it possible that God loves me? How could He? I am such a failure and I have
hurt so many people!
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
(John 15:13 NIV)
Only One did that for me, and He died on a cross. Only One, whose only ulterior
motive was to grab me out of this silly, dull existence of vicious addictions,
has loved me unconditionally. In fact, He wants to put me on a pedestal of utter
freedom and admiration! Only One can fulfill the real desires of my heart!
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."
(Ps 37:4 NIV)
All we truly need is God! He restores us from our false desires. Hunger for
finite things grow dim in His presence as He fills us with such abundant love
and adrenaline. He will never, ever forsake us. We have His undivided attention,
and He calls us as His own sons and daughters. Imagine, we are royalty in His
eyes! Who else treats us with such admiration?
"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord
Almighty." (2 Cor 6:18 NIV)
Only when we fall on our knees and worship the One who truly loves us will we
heal from our false desires. Only then will we experience what real living
means. We are not servants of addictions! We are not living for mere survival!
We are not born for defeat! We are here to shine! "You're here to be light,
bringing out the God-colors in the world." (Matt 5:14 The Message)
I wonder if I could keep one of these hydroids in my salt-water aquarium?
Nah, maybe not the best idea!
Rob Chaffart