American Paddlefish
Nature NuggetAnalogy★★★★The paddlefish resembles a shark because of its long nose and pointed fins. Actually its nose, which is one third its length, extends far beyond its mouth and is shaped like a wide canoe paddle! Its surface is covered with hundreds of taste buds that help this fish locate food.
The paddlefish can open its mouth very wide. As it swims it takes water into its mouth, then washes it out through its gills. Plankton in the water gets caught in the paddlefish’s “gill rakers.” Then it closes its mouth and swallows.
Because of water pollution and construction, paddlefish are losing good habitats, or places to live. In order to lay their eggs, they require deep, clean water with a gravel bottom. The eqgs attach to whatever they first touch, and they can’t attach to mud!
Have you noticed that Christians are also losing good habitats? Maybe places you used to go are now filled with tempting influences. Maybe even friends you used to hang around with are making harmful choices.
If you really want to be a Christian, you can’t afford to be around those influences. The Bible says, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.” Ask God to help you keep your habitat safe!
MISSION: Check your family habitat. With your parents, discuss what should be done to improve it.
Elaine Egbert, Nature in a Nutshell: Daily Devotions for Juniors, 155.
The point
Uses the paddlefish's need for clean habitats to illustrate how Christians must protect their spiritual environment from harmful influences.