I’m sure that half of you have only decided to read this blog post purely out curiosity (or hopes for a definition) of the title.
Bioluminescent phytoplankton is basically a really long name for algae that GLOWS. That’s right, these tiny little water plants in the ocean actually light up if they’re agitated. And it is the coolest thing to get to see. My team and I had the opportunity to visit a beach in Cambodia, and we actually got to SWIM in the water with them. One guy working at the hostel said it was like “swimming with the stars.”
But before you get to see these little tiny lights in the water, you have to convince yourself that it is a perfectly rational and sound decision to plunge into a deep, dark ocean in the blackness of night. It is very unsettling, not being able to see what’s around you or even right in front of you. My teammate Anna and I rushed to the beach once we’d learned these phytoplankton existed in the water. We were SO excited! And then we reached the water’s edge. Man, the water was dark! The beach was dark. We couldn’t see anything. We began to question whether or not this whole thing was worth it. Slowly, cautiously, we walked into the water, holding hands and cringing with every step, anticipating a sting from a huge jellyfish or a pinch from a crab. A few times small fish would brush up against my feet and I’d turn to go back to the sand. Eventually, we were able to coax each other out into the water up to our shoulders. And then we saw it.
As we moved our arms and legs in the water around us, little specks of light began to shimmer and spread out from us. We began to splash around very loudly and obnoxiously, hoping to disturb more and more of the glowing algae. As we swam through the water, little tiny star-like lights would stream from our arms and legs. It really was like swimming with the stars.
As I stood in that water, in the Bay of Thailand, surrounded by thousands of tiny, shimmering lights, I thought about how much this was a representation of my journey of faith. God is such a great, big, adventurous, EXCITING God! Why wouldn’t you run to Him with everything you’ve got? The answer is in the dark water, and the safety of the beach. We want to do for God and be for God until He asks us to leave the comfort of the sand, and everything that we can see around us. Often times when we find the courage to wander out into the unknown, obstacles will tickle our ankles or splash around near us and we look for a reason to turn back.
But if we make it out to the deepest, darkest, quietest parts of the water, only then can we really see how bright God can shine.
We didn’t create the algae. We aren’t responsible for them being there or what will happen to them long after we’re gone. Our role is to [literally] stir things up. Splash around, make them shine ON THEIR OWN. Isn’t that what discipleship is? Isn’t that exactly how Jesus ministers, and called us to do the same?
When he and the disciples split two fish and five loaves of bread between then 5,000, it was the DISCIPLES who fed everyone. Jesus performed a miracle and invited the disciples into it. He could have just as easily provided a giant feast for everyone with a wave of his hand. But he commanded the disciples to go out into the crowd and find food for the people. We are an integral part of God’s big huge plan, but not because we have to be; because He WANTS us to be.
So wade out into the water. Don’t look back to the shore. I’ll bet you’ll be amazed to find what God has waiting for you out at sea.
