Come Into The Word with Sarah Christmyer | Bible Study | Lectio Divina | Journals | Retreat

  • About
  • Blog
    • Scripture Reflection
    • Prayer & Lectio Divina
    • Bible Reading & Study
    • Holidays and Holy Days
    • Discipleship
    • Women of the Bible
  • Resources
    • New Release
    • Books & Journals
    • Bible Studies
    • How-tos & Reading Plans
  • Speaking
    • Speaking Topics
    • Schedule
    • Testimonials
    • Reviews & Interviews
    • Past Events
  • Contact

WE NEED THE WORD LIKE A FISH NEEDS WATER

August 28, 2017 By Sarah Christmyer 5 Comments

children learning to fish from the dock

Photo by Sarah Christmyer

We all watched, excited, as the sunfish splashed up from the lake and landed with a thud on the dock. My husband reached out to remove the hook but the fish slipped from his grasp. “Look Mommy, he’s dancing!” And sure enough, the fish did look to be dancing as it dangled and flopped at our feet.

I can relate to that fish. From the outside, I look like I’m dancing. I race through my days; flip from activity to obligation, from crisis to need. Thanks to my smartphone, I’ve mastered multi-tasking. I get more done in a day than my grandmother did in a week. Yet still, there is never enough time. I look like I’m dancing—but in truth I am gasping for air.

What can we learn from the fish? It lurches away from the one who can set it free from the hook and plunge it in life-giving water. We too are hooked; jerked about by the demands of the world, pulled by anxieties and fears, caught up in our own desires.

“Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden,” says Jesus, “and I will give you rest.”

Make time in your day for Jesus. In the morning, before you set out onto the lake that is your life and start chasing the things that set their hooks in you, put yourself in his hands. Drink deeply from the Word. Set aside even ten minutes to read the Bible and hear him speak into your heart.

Then if you find yourself “out of your element” during the day, step aside for a moment and put yourself back in his hands.

We need the Word like a fish needs water.

© Sarah W Christmyer

This post originally appeared on the Bible Study for Catholics blog.

Learn more about reading the Bible:

  • Build a Bible Reading Habit (3 “Ps” to Get You Started)
  • Our Daily Bread: Three Steps to Daily Bible Reading
  • Read the Bible Like a Disciple
  • The Bible: a Book for the Family (series)
  • Flourishing in Drought (series)
  • A New Year’s Resolution You Can Keep (reading the Bible every day)

 

Learn to Pray with the Psalms

Filed Under: Bible Reading, Study, Discipleship Tagged With: Word of God

Comments

  1. Fran says

    August 29, 2017 at 7:32 am

    There are some good bible journaling web sites. Although some get a bit too caught up in art word. But I find that writing my thoughts in the large margin of a journaling bible helps me with my lectio Divina.

  2. Mitch Carroll says

    August 29, 2017 at 7:45 am

    Nice. This fish really needed this post today. I feel like a whale being chased by the harpoon throwers. Hopefully n God willing I can dive deep enough to get past them. THX and God bless your insights.

  3. Marcia says

    August 29, 2017 at 8:37 am

    Thanks so much for this post, Sarah. I REALLY needed this today!!!

    Peace,
    Marcia

  4. Hank says

    August 29, 2017 at 9:38 am

    Not certain you can what I do dancing, more like flip flopping around in search of His peace. Your post is a welcome reminder to make time for Jesus, to withdraw as He did so many times during His ministry here on earth.
    Peace
    Hank

  5. Pam says

    August 30, 2017 at 2:16 pm

    Thank you Sarah I needed this. Flip flopping around after hurricane Harvey. It is 1pm and I still have not prayed my rosary or read my bible. Talk about flip flopping around. Your thoughts have put this fish back in the water.
    Thankl you.
    Pam Memmer

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 characters available

Sarah Christmyer writes and speaks about Scripture and the Catholic faith with the goal of helping people meet Jesus in his Word. “The Bible isn’t just a book about God or instructions for a good life; it’s a place to meet God and be changed by him,” she says. Her love of Scripture fuels her writing of Bible studies and related books; her teaching of Philadelphia seminarians; her speaking at conferences and retreats; and writing for blogs such as this one. “Come Into the Word” draws people into the Bible and encourages and equips them to explore it on their own.

Subscribe Here

Sign up to receive new posts and news via email. (Add sarah@comeintotheword.com to your address book to make sure mail arrives in your inbox!)

Search Come Into The Word

Categories

Recent Posts

  • PSALMS FOR LENT: Find GRACE in the Penitential Psalms
  • ADD SCRIPTURE TO YOUR LENTEN DIET
  • TRUST IN GOD; HE’S GOT YOUR BACK
  • FINDING JOY AT CHRISTMAS
  • FOCUSING ON THE CHRIST CHILD with the O Antiphons
  • THANKSGIVING PSALMS: Drowning grief in gratitude

Archives

Recommended

  • Integrated Catholic Life – Catholic blogs and resources
  • Lux App and Lux University – online faith hub for women
  • Peter Kreeft – featured writings and audio
  • The Sacred Page (Michael Barber, John Bergsma, Brant Pitre, John Kincaid) – blog
  • Scripture Speaks (Gayle Somers) – commentary on the Mass readings
  • Speaking of Scripture (Mary Healy, Daniel Keating, Peter Williamson, et al) – blog
  • Women in the New Evangelization (WINE) – women’s ministry, book club, blog

 

We engage in affiliate marketing whereby we receive funds through clicks to our affiliate program through this website. This disclosure is intended to comply with the US Federal Trade Commission Rules on marketing and advertising, as well as any other legal requirements which may apply.

 

Let’s Connect

mailfacebook instagram pinterest

Subscribe Here

Sign up to receive new posts and news via email. (Add sarah@comeintotheword.com to your address book to make sure mail arrives in your inbox!)

MENU

  • About
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Speaking
  • Contact
  • Home

Copyright © 2023 Come into the Word LLC | Site designed by Cynthia Oswald

  • About
  • Blog
    △
    • Scripture Reflection
    • Prayer & Lectio Divina
    • Bible Reading & Study
    • Holidays and Holy Days
    • Discipleship
    • Women of the Bible
  • Resources
    △
    • New Release
    • Books & Journals
    • Bible Studies
    • How-tos & Reading Plans
  • Speaking
    △
    • Speaking Topics
    • Schedule
    • Testimonials
    • Reviews & Interviews
    • Past Events
  • Contact