As you walk along the edge of the waterline on the beach, you see tiny shells that get exposed when the water rushes back out to sea. They are constantly pounded by the waves and disturbed by this force of nature. Yet they never move to a safer spot, and they never get relief from the disturbance. Their goal is just to get back under the sand to safety.
They are called coquina clams. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission they are algae filter feeders that are a food source for certain types birds and crabs. They are also considered to be an indicator species for the beach habitat, meaning wildlife experts watch them to determine the health of the beach. If these creatures decided to relocate or give up and move to a less intense location, it would disrupt the balance of the system. Some animals wouldn’t have food and experts wouldn’t be able to determine the status of the shoreline. There is a purpose for their location even though it is not an easy one.
This is similar to our lives. We don’t get to choose where God wants to use us. He leads us to where He wants us to live for Him and make an impact. With that, though, comes trials because Satan doesn’t want us to be able to impact others for God. We are continually pounded with the trials of this world and expected to stay put until God moves us to another place. The clams bury themselves back under the sand for shelter from the next wave. We can bury ourselves in God and His word to protect ourselves from the next trial. Psalm 27:5 says,
“For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.” (NLT)
God promises to hide us in his sanctuary, but you can only reach that by staying focused on Him and reading the word or burying yourself in His truths. It’s easy to focus on what the world says because it’s loud. Reading God’s word daily and even finding a scripture to write down and read multiple times a day can help you thrive through your trials rather than just survive.
Nae's Notes 