Message in a Fish Tank

The hospital waiting room provides a calm relaxing distraction with their saltwater aquarium... but not all is as it seems.

Message in a Fish Tank
Originally uploaded by rmaxtorres.

Some of the church had come to visit and encourage in the Latino fashion by gathering in the waiting room (this time, sans large pans of home-cooked enchiladas or greasy hamburger bags) and waiting for their chance to go into the room to visit a post-op Pastor Cantu.

As we waited, we noticed that one of the smaller 'perch-like' fish was actually going belly-up! It was still alive, but obviously not swimming at 100% capacity. Amidst dramatic gasps to gulp for oxygen in the water, the weakened fish was being assaulted by the other fish in the aquarium. As they nipped and tugged at the upended fish, scales and particles clouded the water and fed the frenzy in their saltwater environment.

The silver fish is being eaten alive!

I sat back and quietly remarked, "I think we could get a message from this picture." That was all it took for the conversation to turn to figurative examples of the value of defending those who were weak or wounded. Deliberate comparisons to the cannibalistic nature of nominal Believers began to be described from various perspectives (as the small fish gasped and struggled against the nips, tugs and chomps of fish which had been peers or swimming companions earlier in the day). As the softer under portions of the fish were slowly consumed, the now lifeless carcass drifted within the currents and eddies within the tank.

Unfortunately, this same descriptive often accurately portrays human behavior within an organization (organism) that lays claim to being a rescue ship and/or safe harbor in storms. Is it merely a flaw in the nature of humans to go after those who are weaker, or is it a reaction to unrealistic religious societal expectations that demand Hyper-Spiritual performance at any cost?

How much value does a Post-Modern (mass produced/high efficiency/lowest bidder/smallest common denominator) version of Christianity place on the human emotion and sentiment that experiences the pains and struggles of the REAL Real World.

I think it really does go to the value of the 'least of these' in our expressions of a REDEEMED Lifestyle. Are we REDEEMED? Is REDEMPTION something we understand? Can REDEEMED individuals express themselves through value or worth again? Can we let them? Can we help them?

Post Script: The ecological description of this same incident could stress the value of one laying down their life for those around them. Being consumed in the act of providing nourishment for the next generation is a noble thought, but since we are finite beings, it's not really a valid comparison to an Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient "I Am!" who readily gave Himself for the lives of all mankind. We should preserve LIFE with healthy nourishment, lifestyles, and practices that will honor the generations before and after us. And if we see another "Fish Man" who is struggling, resist the animalistic tendency to devour and destroy.