“You need to know you are about to be a little fish in a big pond; things will be very different next year.”
My junior high school principal’s concern for me was genuine. I spent the first eight years of my education in the cozy cocoon of a rural community school. The time for me to leave the dozen or so classmates of my childhood to join a county high school class of about one hundred would bring new challenges. I have to chuckle a little as I remember that I thought our high school class was enormous. Perspective, right?
Yes, things would be different. You can be sure the future will always involve change, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.
I suppose a little fish in a tiny pond doesn’t realize she is small. Managing expectations is not a bad thing, but another person’s opinion of your potential should never limit your dreams. After all, God uses little fish, too!
Going to the larger school and meeting new people excited me. Frankly, I was puzzled about the principal’s concern. My wise parents advised that I not worry about it, “…just be yourself,” they said, “you will be just fine.” They always encouraged their children to give their best and shoot for the stars as they often reminded us that our limits would be set only by our willingness to settle. Mom and Dad were right. Everything was fine. I loved my new school and enjoyed every aspect of my high school experience.
Although this was my first realization that the “ponds” of life would be teeming with fish of all sizes, I knew it was okay to be a little fish. Knowing myself and simply being “me” is okay. I’m not who others think or say I am anyway; I am who God says I am. He says I am:
Created in Christ
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
Loved by God
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Chosen
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
Saved by Grace
“…even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace, you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…” Ephesians 2:5-6
Free from Sin and Death
“For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2
Redeemed
“In Him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,” Ephesians 1:7
Complete in Christ
“…and you have been filled in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority.” Colossians 2:10
The world will tell you you are limited by whatever standard it decides to use at the time. God’s standard never changes. When you are safely in the hands of our Savior, the measures of the world do not matter. Remember when Jesus took two small fish and fed over five thousand people? Imagine what He can do with us if we entirely give ourselves to Him!
“And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all.” Mark 6:41 ESV
Not only was everyone full, there twelve baskets left! Regardless of anyone’s personal opinion, I am enough in Jesus alone. And so are you.
As I reflect on my life, I see many times that I jumped into a brand new pond filled with the unknown: big fish, little fish, predators, and friends. But God always guided, protected, taught, and provided for me. I survived and sometimes thrived, not because of who I am, but because of to whom I belong!
Do you feel like a small fish? No big deal. God created you exactly as He wanted and designed you for the task specifically tailored to YOU. Relax and be yourself. He holds you in His strong and righteous right hand. You need not worry about what awaits you in the next pond of life. If you are secure in a personal relationship with Christ, “you will be just fine!”
Charlene Miller
Lean into Jesus MInistries
#charlenemillerblogs