The story was called Carl the Starfish. It is about a little starfish named Carl who drifts onto the beach. He must find his way back to the sea, or he will perish. 

So first, he thinks a crab could help him, and the story advises him the crab could scarf him up. Then, he waves to a shark, and the story advises him the shark will scarf him up. I must keep these rather plotless stories rather engaging, so I am all dramatic and say to the class with my hands on my face, “Oh no, poor Carl. What will he do?” 

Then, a sweet little boy raises his hand in the air and says, “Don’t worry, Mrs. Scolaro, he will go to Jesus.” Do you want a spoiler alert? A tide comes and drifts Carl back to the sea.

I learned a lot of lessons that day. The little boy was emulating what he would see in church by raising his hand in the air, but his comment was more compelling. At the end of the day, it is about our salvation. 

I have found myself like Carl, drifting from where God wanted me to be and wondering what I should do next. Carl’s thoughts were not too practical and would have led him into more danger. How does that translate to my spiritual life? 

When I think of my own solutions without surrendering, they are like getting scarfed up by a crab or shark. 

Then, Carl waited, and suddenly, the tide drifted him back to his home, the sea, where he would survive. 

There are many scriptures that come to mind about salvation. John 10:28 states: “and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” Jesus is assuring us that eternal life is a free, permanent gift, not temporary. 

In the prior verse, Jesus depicts an image of a shepherd holding sheep. In John 10:29, Jesus adds that believers are in God’s hands, with an emphasis that God is greater than all. Yes, He is greater than a crab or a shark, which would have created more danger for Carl. 

As always, when I teach, I learn something even greater. 

What did you learn from this little starfish? Will you seek danger or safety in the Lord or think other less practical solutions can help? Getting back to my wise little student, let’s seek the option that matters the most. 

At the end of the day, we hope to come to Jesus.