The unlikely example for a spiritual walk
By Luke Towns
While helping the church’s first lady with her sermon by passing out small toy animals for her example, the first person on the front pew of my section was my pastor. He said, “I want a great one.” I looked down and on the top of the pile in my basket was my favorite animal, an octopus. I handed him the octopus and told him, “This is the best animal in the basket.” It was after I returned to my seat that a random thought popped into my head seemingly out of nowhere. “I want my spiritual life to be like an octopus.”
Now your first thought may be, “That’s odd.” I could see how you may think that. But random odd thoughts are just how my brain works so let me explain. You see, God created so many wonderful and curious things and you can draw inspiration and lessons from all of it if you look at it in the right way. Like I said, the octopus is my favorite animal and I personally view it as one of His most wondrous creatures. Part of that wonder is the example you can draw from the characteristics of the octopus.
One of the most commonly known facts about the octopus is that it is capable of changing its colors. But did you know that the octopus can do much more than change its colors? When sitting on a surface the octopus can not only change its color to match its surroundings, but it also changes the texture of its skin to recreate its surroundings. Now what does that have to do with your spiritual walk? Philippians 4:19 NIV says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Simply put, the octopus is able to adapt itself to the requirements of the situation. In the same manner, with our trust in God as our provider, we as Christians can adapt to the challenges of life. When life is rough and rocky through Christ, we can say, “That’s okay; I can match that.” We put our trust in God’s provision and adjust to the situation at hand.
Furthermore, in regard to the octopus’ ability to shift colors, they are capable of nonverbal communication. With darker colors and rough textures indicating stress or potential irritation and lighter colors with smoother textures representing comfort and relaxation. In the same way our demeanor indicates our most hidden feelings even when you believe yourself capable of masking them.
The octopus also demonstrates wisdom. Some scientists estimate that the intelligence of the average octopus is equivalent to a fifth grader, as it is able to solve puzzles, use tools, and adapt choices after situational assessment. Combined with its ability to incorporate previously learned lessons, the octopus uses information it has learned from past experience and even uses tools in different applications. James 3:1 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” We as Christians strive to walk in wisdom. Following Christ’s leadership, we accumulate a vast reservoir of experiences and maturity and. if we are lucky enough to learn the most important lesson, we get to share what we know with others. Mark 16:15KJV says, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Knowledge is learning a lesson. Wisdom is the ability to share. Too often people with view knowledge as this hard thing. We can not achieve it so how can we share it. True knowledge is as simple as telling someone, “Hey Jesus loves you.” Or if we hear someone say they’re depressed. Knowledge is remembering the darkness that captured you once and having the wisdom to say, “I understand, but if you want, I can introduce you to the one who plunged his hand into the deep and pulled me out of my darkness.” As 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” The wisest of us will remember where we came from and share it even in times when our light feels like it may be flickering. Remember the darkness holds no sway over you. 1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world.” This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Now we can also follow the octopus’ example in regard to outreach. Matthew 28:18-20 KJV And Jesus came and spakeunto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. You see the anatomy of an octopus is such that it has a soft flexible body with one exception. On the underside of its body in its center is the only hard part of the octopus, the beak. That means that an octopus can fit anywhere as long as its core can fit. However, squeezing through an opening too small can be detrimental to the octopus. Damaging the beak leaves the octopus with a limited or no capacity to bring in nutrients. In the same manner, Christians can find footing in any situation shining the light of the Lord as long as we do not compromise the connection to our core which is Jesus Christ. Squeezing into an area that is not fit for us opens the potential to damage the connection to our core, opening the path for the enemy to attack. But as long we keep our mind centered on our core, there is no area that is not available to us.
Even when something or someone seems out of reach, it merely illustrates that we have bought into. You see, we know we can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13). Unlike most sea creatures, for whom land remains a mystery, the octopus has the capability to reach beyond what you would think for an aquatic animal. There are many a story from aquariums both public and private where it was discovered that an octopus left his comfortable enclosure to retrieve the prize from another enclosure. In this case, that means missing fish and crabs. An octopus my go exploring at will as long as it maintains moisture. Like this octopus, we can go above and beyond what we believe and reach the unreachable as long we remain under the covering of Christ.
Now, the final example we can draw from this unlikely model of behavior – in times of necessity, the octopus is able to sacrifice part of itself for the greater good. We all know life is hard and often full of predators and dangers. In the case of the octopus, these are physically destructive predators, but for us these come in the forms of obstacles such as trials. Mental and physical energy sink into things that seem to have a knack for showing up at the worst occasion when we feel there is no more that we can bear. Sometimes it’s situations that would otherwise roll off our backs like water off a duck. Sometimes it’s people that in any other moment would be welcome but in those times are just too much to handle. When predators come to the octopus, if it has no means of escape, it will sacrifice some of its tentacles so that it can escape. Once a predator latches on, the octopus will literally tear tentacles off so that it may go on.
Psalm 51: 17 KJV says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Now, you may be thinking, “What good that does for the octopus and what kind of example is that?” Well, besides the fact that the octopus gets to survive, there are some other benefits for the octopus. From that situation, the octopus will retreat to a place of refuge and in this broken state, the octopus will learn. When a similar situation arises, the octopus will adjust its behaviors so that similar outcomes can be avoided. However, I would like to focus on the time the octopus spends in this time of refuge. Studies show that the octopus learns through experience, but more than that it is during this time that an octopus will begin to regenerate its lost limbs. While in this situation the octopus’ life is traumatic and full of pain and its primary concern until it’ is over is escaping the pain, the octopus knows if it can manage to make it through this, even if it has to sacrifice what may be almost all of its limbs, it can get to a refuge and heal.
And so, life is for us sometimes. Sometimes life has us locked firmly in its jaws and we can’t see anything but the damage. Every move we make is just pain and torment. Sometimes it feels like life is going to take everything we have, like everything we have to offer is just being consumed by woes and heartache. We can just manage to let go and remember who our refuge is. Psalm 46:1 KJV says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 55:22 NIV says, “Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” And Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” It does matter if we have to sacrifice what feels like the major things, because in the end, if we keep our hearts in the right place, God will bring healing. For a time, it may seem like all you have left are little nubs but, like the octopus regenerates its limbs, God will regenerate and more what you surrendered. Joel 2:25-26 KJV says, “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.”
With wisdom and endurance, you will come out on the other side a victor, but, more than that, a beacon. You will come out as a signal fire to others. You alone may be able to reach that one person to who no one has reached and said, “I’ve been where you are and it hurt and I cried, but God brought me through it, and I learned, and I am better for it. I have strength that I never could have gained without it. I have wisdom that only comes from experience. And my trust in God is greater than it has ever been. You may even be hurting right now. Just hold on. It’s going to be ok. Let those tentacles go.” Yes, it might hurt, but you have a Father in Heaven who will guide and protect you.
LogoSophia Magazine 