Held Back for a Reason: God’s Lessons from the Lagoon

Yesterday, I had an experience that reminded me of how God speaks to us through the wonders of nature. While visiting my mother in Banana Beach, I received a call from my husband. He was at a nearby restaurant overlooking a deck with a view of the lagoon. “You have to come see this,” he said. Intrigued, I joined him and found myself captivated by a breathtaking scene. As we watched, a thin stream from the lagoon started to widen, carving its path toward the ocean. Over time, this gentle flow transformed into a powerful stream. We watched as the water found its way, carrying everything in its path into the vast ocean. It was amazing to see how nature operates, powerful yet unpredictable.However, as the water pushed forward, something unusual happened. A small part of the lagoon became isolated, and in this small, separate pool, a group of freshwater fish was left behind, stranded between the safety of their lagoon and the danger of the ocean beyond. From our vantage point, we saw the fish frantically trying to cross the sandbank to reach the river that would carry them out to sea—unknowingly heading toward a perilous fate. Some fish even leapt out of the ocean in a desperate attempt to return to safety. But in their distress, they fell prey to birds and crabs waiting on the shore.Moved by the scene, my husband and I went down to the water to help. We caught a few fish, gently guiding them back to safety. In their panic, the fish struggled to escape our hands, not understanding that we were their way to life. In the end, we saved just a couple, while the rest were swept away.As I stood by the water, I felt God speaking to me through this moment. Here’s what I learned: 1. Not All Stagnant Places Are DangerousSometimes, like the fish in that isolated pool, we may feel trapped or uncertain in life’s “stagnant” places, where nothing seems to move forward. But what if these places are where God has us for a reason? Just as the fish were unknowingly safe in the pool, we may be right where we need to be, protected from unseen dangers ahead. God sees the whole picture—the end from the beginning—and He often shelters us from paths that may lead us away from His best for us. 2. Trust God’s Timing and DirectionThe fish were eager to get to the river, unaware of the dangers that lay ahead. How often do we push forward, eager to break free of where we are, not realizing that God is keeping us in a safe place until the time is right? This experience reminded me to trust that God’s timing is always perfect. When the time comes for us to move, He will make the way clear. 3. Seek God’s Guidance in Every StepThis experience also served as a reminder not to make big decisions without diligently seeking God’s guidance. The fish were driven by instinct, but we have the privilege of God’s wisdom and His Word. When we follow His lead, we can trust that He will shepherd us to where we need to be, even if it’s different from where we thought we should go.Ultimately, God is our Good Shepherd. He guides, protects, and cares for us, even in seasons when we feel like we’re not moving forward. If you’re in a place of waiting or facing uncertainty, remember that God sees what we can’t. Trust in His plan, lean into His wisdom, and know that He is always working for your good, even when the path seems still... i wrote this as a blog post a while ago... i need you to help me create an image, there is an image but it didnt come out correctly. so i need a text prompt with a lagoon showing like when the lagoons meet with the ocean in just a small stream then it widens into a massive pathway but on the side there was a pool and a little island that was previously part of the lagoon but is momentarily isolated if you understand what i mean, i need to create a good image but like a drone view almost from the top, do you understand wht i mean