When a fish finds himself on land, for whatever reason, whether washed upon shore or caught on the fisherman’s hook, he immediately begins to struggle. He flops. He flips. He gasps. He squirms. He locates the water and strives to return to it. If he fails to do so, he perishes!

Why doesn’t he just adapt? Why doesn’t he just grow some feet and learn to live on land? Why doesn’t he give up the fight to find water? Simply put - he was made for the water! Nothing else will satisfy or substitute! It’s water or nothing.

A man who has received the call of the Lord to pursue the office of pastor is much the same. He is at home only when he is behind the pulpit. That is, when he is in front of God’s people, feeding the flock of God.

When a pastor finds himself out of the pulpit, for whatever reason, whether voluntary or involuntary, he immediately begins to struggle and feel extremely out of place. He never settles or finds satisfaction in any other role. He gasps. He squirms. He longingly awaits the Lord to return him to his only fit. He feels as if he can’t preach God’s Word to God’s people, he will perish!

Why doesn’t he just move on? Why doesn’t he just find another vocation? Why does he risk the venture, the trouble, the possible again? Why does he pick up and move at a moment’s notice? Why doesn’t he just do something different and move back home? Simply put - he was made for the pulpit! It’s preaching or nothing!

Jeremiah 20:9 “If I say, ‘I will not mention Him, or speak any more in His name,’ there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.”

I am flopping today because I am out of water! However, I am also rejoicing!

I rejoice that I have the privilege to hear the Word preached today by a fine pastor! I rejoice that while the Lord has me “on hold” at the present, He hasn’t put me “on the shelf!” I rejoice knowing that there is an oasis in my future! The Lord will direct me to new water because I was made for it.