Safety in Numbers

Having heard for several weeks now that limits of nice flounder were being caught around the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT), my buddy Winston and I decided we would take our kayaks out Friday night and get in on the action ourselves. Our plan was to meet at the Willoughby boat ramp around 9pm, paddle out, and fish until the tide went slack after midnight. Well, Winston called me Friday afternoon to let me know he was going to be delayed and would not be able to get to the ramp until around 11pm. Already having the irresistible itch to catch some flounder and to get the kayak out for the first time in 2012, I decided to keep my planned arrival time at the ramp and fish for a while before he got out there. Unfortunately, fishing proved to be slow, and although I did catch five different species, I only managed one undersized specimen of my primary objective. More important than the quality of fishing, though, was that I was one of very few folks out there, in the dark, in a 12 foot kayak, except for a few folks in motorized boats scattered along the three and a half mile long bridge. Most level-headed folks would call that plain dangerous, among other words, and something that should not be attempted in big water like the lower Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

Crossing waves and current can roll you over, an outgoing tide can sweep a tired paddler out to big water, and it is not unheard of for there to be sharks in those waters. When Winston showed up around 11:30, I was very relieved to have a friend close by to both share in the experience as well as to assist in the event of an emergency. We fished until 1:15am and then paddled back in. Ironically, when we arrived back at the ramp, we met another fisherman who had swum for two hours before being rescued after his kayak capsized earlier in the evening! And then my ride back home alone, well I won't elaborate other than saying I woke up several times in the neighboring lane on I-64...

Most of us have heard the old adage that 'there is safety in numbers'. This concept shows itself over and over again in nature, whether it be with schools of menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay, large flocks of turkeys throughout North America or herds of gemsbok in Africa. And the reason why fish and wildlife tend to group together is that their combined senses are much greater in detecting danger, and it serves to lower the overall chance of predation on any one individual within the group, an adaptation referred to as predator satiation. Safety in numbers can hold true for humans as well, especially in many of our nation's highly urbanized cities! But this concept is true not only in the natural world, but is extremely vital when it comes to our spiritual health and survival. God designed us to live in community with other believers (Acts 2:42-47). Hebrews 10:25 cautions us, 'don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near' (CEV). Similar to me venturing out alone to the HRBT in dangerous conditions, believers who venture alone through life, disconnected from the local church and from other believers, are leaving themselves vulnerable to spiritual danger and attacks by Satan. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us to 'watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour' (NLT). And just like in nature when the lion targets the weak, slow, injured or solo gemsbok, we too are the most vulnerable to Satan's menacing temptations when we are weary, discouraged and disconnected from fellow believers.

If you are not an active participant in a local body of believers, a support group, or even an accountability partnership, I encourage you to connect with one today. We would love for you to 'link, learn and live' with us at Cool Spring. And if you know of a brother who is wandering disconnected from the fold, make an intentional effort to restore him today. James 5:19-20 reminds us that 'if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins' (NLT). Remember, there is most definitely safety in numbers. - GE