Swimming Upstream

In the early years of the church, right after Jesus’ death and resurrection, some practices were tried that we are still trying to understand today. One of them was using a fish to indicate where people gathered for worship. The fish was drawn on the ground, in the sand, and sometimes on buildings or places where believers met. You may still see fish symbols today on car bumpers, keychains, or necklaces. There is no definitive explanation of how and why the fish was used, but I have heard two theories—or metaphors—that I’d like to explore with you today.

The fish that reminds us to “go with the flow.”
This metaphor encourages letting things run off us. If someone mistreats or wrongs you, the idea is to do what the fish does: keep swimming. Don’t hold on to the wrong, but forgive and move forward. This image is similar to the saying about letting sin go “like water off a duck’s back,” meaning we aren’t meant to hold on to grudges, but to be free—because we have been freely forgiven by Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

The fish as swimming upstream, against the current.
According to this theory, Christians swim against the current of the world’s practices and customs. Like salmon that fight for hundreds of miles to return to their birthplace to spawn, we are striving to return to the ways of Jesus. And if we push the metaphor further, we are helping the Holy Spirit bring new life into our lives and the lives of others.

I appreciate both metaphors, because both contain truth. It is far too easy to get caught up in the wrongs done to us or the wrongs we have done to others. When we are mistreated, lied about, gossiped about, or abused, those hurts form hard memories that cling to us. Letting go of that hurt is not easy—but if we remember what Jesus did for us, what we could not do for ourselves, then “letting go and letting God” becomes easier. It is also biblical: “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:18) Romans 12:19 and Hebrews 10:30 echo this teaching.

But in this season, I find the metaphor of swimming upstream to be especially helpful. As our culture becomes more politicized, and as more people distrust institutions—especially the church—we are swimming upstream. Some claim the name of Christian while visiting retribution on their “enemies.” Others call themselves Christian but follow a Jesus who, in their minds, has no power to save or transform lives. It is harder to follow the ways of Jesus and recognize his power and authority. It is hard because we do not get to take vengeance, and hard because we are commanded to love and pray for our enemies.

We face a fundamental choice: Do we follow the ways of the world—swimming downstream and doing what feels good to us—or do we follow the ways of Jesus, swimming upstream and staying in line with him, knowing we may suffer as he suffered? The Son of God became incarnate, taking on our flesh and blood so that he could obey the Father’s will and die on the cross. Now that he has risen to the Father and sent us the Holy Spirit to empower our mission, he asks us: Will we stay true to him as he stayed true for us?

You see, the message of Christmas is not only about a child born in a stable, but also about his invitation to be born as both child and King of Kings in our hearts and lives. Will we let him be Lord of our lives so that the world may be saved through him? As a friend of mine says, “There has never been a better time to be a Christian than today!” For my part, I am glad to have you with me as we journey together to the stable, to the cross, and to the skies.