An epaulette shark © wenfisher (CC BY 2.0)

The epaulette shark is about three feet long, much of which is its tail. It is named “epaulette” because of two round black spots with white fringe-like borders , one on each side of its body. Someone once thought that the spots looked like “epaulettes” on its shoulders. It is not an endangered shark, but inhabits New Guinea and the Great Barrier Reef near Australia. What makes this shark unusual, is that it has the ability to walk on land. Actually, it shuffles on its thick, paddle-shaped pectoral fins which function as legs and feet. It takes walks quite frequently into and out of tidal pools.

The epaulette shark is only one of many surprising and little known living creatures that share our planet earth with humanity. They are a reminder of the infinite shapes and forms of life in God’s creation: What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived–the things God has prepared for those who love Him. (1Corinthians 2:9)

It’s easy to slip into predictable patterns in our lives until we forget that there is One who is always “Making all things new! (Revelation 21:5), and creating in the midst of His creation. When we do slip, we close the invisible doors to the presence of One who knows us better than we know ourselves. The young man said to Jesus”All these (commandments) I have observed. What do I lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. (Matthew 19:20-22)

It’s not only possessions that keep us from following Jesus. It’s also attitudes and relationships that prevent Jesus’ voice from reaching us. The young man heard the voice, but the network of his life, his many possessions , kept him from receiving the unimaginable blessing.

Knowing that the epaulette shark exists and thrives reminds me that there are other lives, beside the one I live daily: the life of God Himself who created both me and the shark. The rich young man knew he wanted perfection, but couldn’t imagine any life better than the one he lived. He was unable to make the exchange even to receive eternal life.

God said to John in the Revelation, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. (Revelation 21:6-7)

Love in Him,

Prue