Ice. Molecules sticking together when water temperature reach around 0 Celcius. Generally, it takes about four days of below freezing temperatures to form at least four inches of ice thick and safe enough to walk on. Or go ice-fishing. Although, it isn’t recommended to drive your vehicle on the ice until it is at least 8 to 12 inches thick. So, when we stepped on the ice after a week of temperature below -20C, I knew the ice was thick of enough to hold us. And I trusted my experienced companion.
My companion drilled several holes, the lake water gushing up quickly when his ice-fishing auger had penetrated the ice deep enough to reach the water’s surface. The fishing rods with bells were anchored at each hole as we settled ourselves by the fire and waited. Like all types of fishing, ice-fishing, too, is a quiet activity of stillness and waiting until a tug of line is seen; then without hesitation, strategic action must kick in to hook the fish out of the water.
As I sat by the fire on the ice, I thought of how God can heat our hearts to a melting point. There isn’t any ice that He can’t break through; any pain that has hardened our emotions, any doubts that have frozen our dreams, or any loss that has kept us stuck in the past. He heals. He warms us like a chinook wind melts ice letting frozen water molecules flow free again.
There’s a saying I am sure you know; “like a fish out of water.” It means to be in an unfamiliar situation where you feel awkward, out of place, and maybe unhappy. I stood over one of our fishing holes as my companion pulled up the line with a Jack fish hooked. Seeming unhappy and awkward out of the water, its silver scaled body lay limp in his hands. Once dropped back into the water, though, its body quickly came alive as it swam away.
Sometimes I find myself “like a fish out of water” in my new job situation. As I familiarize myself with the everyday workings of my other team members, I awkwardly misplace items and find myself occupying a space where someone else is to be. I make mistakes. Unhappily I can be hard on myself as I want all to go as smooth as ice during the transition. Internally, there can be doubts, but I do feel God directed me from a position that was challenging my integrity, to a position where I need to let go of my own understanding and trust Him deeply. My vulnerabilities bring opportunities of humbleness and grace – attributes that bring teams closer than perfection ever could.
No matter how deep our ice from hurts, disappointments or loss; or how awkward our situation, God is our auger, willing to dig deep to bring us to His living water that heals, comforts, and sustains us wherever we are.
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ John 7:3
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16
Reflection:
Are there places in your life where God is working to bring you His living waters?
Do you have any hurts, disappointments, loss that you can bring God into?
Linking up the #TellHisStory #Grace&Truth
You are so brave! I don’t think I could handle the cold. I loved reading this today, Lynn. I can relate to your feelings about starting a new job. It’s never easy. I felt the same way when I suddenly lost my job and ventured into a new profession. It’s been almost ten years, and I have no doubt that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. Believe me, God has you in the right place. It just takes time. xo
Thank you for your encouragement, Jill! There are huts for ice-fishing, too, that can keep you warm. Maybe you’ll try it one day, too! 🙂
Yes, God brings peace to our troubles. When I try to handle those troubles on my own, I fail. When I take my troubles and worries to God, there is peace and comfort that only He can provide. Great message Lynn.
Yes, He is our grand Comforter! I try to fix all on my own and make myself tired doing so. Thanks for your message here, Melissa. Blessings to you!
My DIL & I were recently talking about ice-fishing and how it might be interesting to try. But then the post resonated as I read your words describing the activity as > “a quiet activity of stillness and waiting until a tug of line is seen”. My one word for 2022 is “wait”. Am I willing to simply wait as long as it takes, until I feel His tug? That is the question you have provoked me to ask myself today 🙂
I love your words and question, Joanna! May you feel those God tugs through 2022, in His perfect timing.
Great write up with deep reflection Lynn. Thanks for the article. I am already dreaming of ice fishing experience next winter.
Let me know how your ice-fishing adventure goes! Thank you for your words here, Margaret.
Lynn, I loved this insight into ice fishing. And I’ve definitely faced times when I felt like a fish out of water. I’m thankful God leads us through those transition times and helps us to become more comfortable in new situations, in time.
He does bring comfort in all things! Thank you for that reminder, Jeanne. Life transitions can be tough, even the really good ones like marriage. Adjustment is required when change happens!
God can warm the coldest heart.
That’s nice you caught and released.
The main fishermen in my life (my brother ‘n law and boyfriend) do catch and release mainly! I guess it is more about the sport than the ‘trophy.’ 🙂
These were my favourite words today: “My vulnerabilities bring opportunities of humbleness and grace – attributes that bring teams closer than perfection ever could.” Wonderful words for a recovering perfectionist. 🙂 Thanks.
Us women tend to struggle with perfectionism, don’t we Joy? I thought I didn’t struggle anymore with perfectionism but then recently have been told that I am very hard on myself. And my reply? Because I want to do things perfectly right. lol! Thanks for coming by!
Such an insightful post, Lynn. I love all the analogies you extracted from your ice fishing excursion. You are so right:
those “fish-out-of-water” times do provide all sorts of learning opportunities! The quality of humility is certainly near the top of the list; desperate trust in God is another. I hate to think of facing such difficult and uncomfortable times without Him!
Yes, Nancy! Thank you for your words, here. Learning to trust God deeply keeps our mind and hearts peaceful in any situation.
Dear Lynn, your pictures ALWAYS take me right to where you are. You indeed are a beauty-capturer and I’m so grateful you’re in my life.
Have a wonderful weekend.
I have experienced many fish out of water situations. It’s cold and uncomfortable. Scary. I’ve learned to trust the one who separated the waters from the water. The one who can set me in a safe place, calm the raging sea and speak peace to my spirit.
I love how you have responded! “I’ve learned to trust the one who separated the waters from the water.” Amen!
These pictures are amazing, Lynn. I have never even come close to doing anything like this. Ice-fishing sounds unbearably cold to me. 🙂 But also fascinating. So thankful God is our auger!
Since cold winters, snow and ice are very much part of where I live, Lise, I try to things to do to that embrace winter rather than fight it. I don’t always succeed though! The day we went ice-fishing, the wind picked up so we fished for just two hours. And then I warmed up beside log fire in a warm home. 🙂 I’m grateful for all the lessons God teaches me on these adventures although! Have a wonderful day!
Aww. I’m sorry your new job is providing challenges. May God continue to lead and guide you through the transition. I’m so glad we have a loving father who will melt through our frozen places!
Amen, to that Anita! Yes, God guides us through all our transitions.
Wow! Thank you for sharing the specifics about ice fishing. I stand amazed! We’ve used an auger in the dirt for fence posts, but never in ice. Ha!
What a beautiful illustration about God walking with us. Thank you so much for sharing, Lynn.
Lynn, Thank you for sharing this. It is really interesting. Blessings.