Have you ever watched otters search for clams?
I spent the afternoon at the zoo recently, and watching them made me think how I often perceive others’ gifts.
The otters live in a wonderful habitat: a waterfall flows into a shallow stream. Rocks climb from the surface of the riverbed, providing a staircase of sorts for the otters to dip in and out of the cool water. I counted nine otters in the habitat darting, playing and swimming.
From my viewpoint, standing on a bridge covering the exhibit, I could clearly see several clam shells spaced sporadically over the riverbed. There were more than enough for the number of otters present.
However, they didn’t each search for his own clam.
Instead, when one found his shell, the others fought furiously, trying to obtain it. There was biting, pushing, and teaming up against the one who had his shell until he dropped his precious find, the others scattering, trying to get it first. That poor otter who lost his shell looked around in bewilderment, like, what just happened?
We humans can act no better than otters when we see others succeeding. I wonder if sometimes, we see others discover a gift and assume I need that too!
Maybe we don’t pluck it from another’s physical hand, but is the mind in overdrive thinking, how can I out-do so-and-so? Why don’t I have such a gift?
If we patiently search, we are bound to find our own gifts, our own talents, our own successes. We don’t need to steal from or undermine another.
Just as I stood on the bridge watching the entire scene unfold, I wonder if God watches us from heaven saying, “My dear child, stop fighting. Look around. There’s one here for you, too.”
He has special words for us in Psalm 46:10 “Stop fighting and know that I am God.” (HCSB) Other translations include “Be still and know that I am God.”(NIV)
If you, like I, sometimes feel overlooked or neglected, please know He sees you and He has plans for you. Plans to prosper you, plans to give you a future with hope! God has wonderous successes in store for you!
While waiting to discover our gifts, we must be the person who celebrates when another finds her gifts, talents, and success. Encourage her. Pray for her. Build her up.
Because that is what God wants for her, and for us, when it’s our turn.
Let’s work together at being Children of the King, not otters.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for gifts given to each of us. Please help us to celebrate with one another without twangs of jealousy. Please help me to remember You give gifts to each of us. Help me to trust You to reveal my gift at the right time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.