A fish swimming upstream

Life's a beast sometimes.  Makes one feel like a fish swimming upstream at times doesn't it?  We've all heard that term I would imagine.  I assume it is a take on the annual salmon run that takes place.  I've had the occasion to see first hand the salmon run up in Alaska.  There are literally thousands upon thousands of salmon that make their way upstream to spawn.  During that annual ritual, these multi-thousands of fish:

• clamor for space
• struggle to find their way up ever narrowing waterways
• are subject to both fishermen and wildlife looking for an easy catch
• must surely tire drastically due to the fight of competing for space in narrow rushing water
• face obstacles like rocks, ledges, blockages in the streams and crowded pooling spots where they can rest.

Their goal is to safely reach the areas where they spawn,  and they just naturally focus on that goal through all of the difficult times reaching it.  It is an instinctive part of being a salmon.  It is natural for them.

I believe, way deep down, we as humans also have an instinctive part of us.  It is to follow goodness and reject evil.  In our world, goodness is following Jesus, and yes, like the salmon, it is almost like swimming upstream.  Along our journey up the stream of life, we are our biggest enemy.  We also have other obstacles like doubt, fear, life's busyiness, and the like.  And, I dare say, we aren't as focused on our goal as the salmon are, are we?

Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad thing to think of ourselves as a salmon who has to swim upstream.  A look at ourselves, and at our goal of being a follower of Christ, would show us a ton of "stuff" that gets in the way of reaching that goal.

Maybe we just need to say "I don't care, I'm going to swim upstream, and by golly I'm gonna make it"!  After all, in your heart of hearts, isn't that what you really want?