“…and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:19 ESV. 

While walking on Manasota Beach in Florida last month I picked up what I thought was a small stone that turned out to be a sharks tooth the size of a quarter. Black, with serrated edges still intact, it was a large…ehhh…molar to a very large shark. 

My husband was instantly excited, while the shark-tooth-hunter-people gathered around waving their sandy baskets in surprise. Even my son-in-law says it’s super cool and needs a special place to show off and smile. But shark week was on TV last week, and for the first time in a long time, I didn’t really want to watch it. And I can tell you why. 

I suppose I’m not a fan of a shark missing his back left molar. Because he can still eat you with the reminder of teeth he has left. Although, the ocean has always been big, expansive, and exciting to me—for the first time ever, I’ve considered just how open and ominous and toothy the sea really is. I guess you could say I’m now holding evidence, proof that it’s much more dangerous than I’ve always trusted it to be.

When I Googled about my find, though, I discovered this tiny saw most likely belonged to a great white shark, but also, this same shark most certainly died hundreds (if not thousands) of years ago. In short—the mouth that lost this tooth can no longer chew on you. 

Spiritual Implication

This particular attack of the mind and onset of fear, for me, is familiar and has a significant spiritual implication as well. Because it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve allowed the thought of the enemy and attacker to grow wild in my mind. To try and sink me in fear. It’s not the first time I’ve been anxious and obsessed and swimming with thoughts over the toothy past, or suffered gnawing worries about the future. This is not the first time the enemy has bottom fed off of my insecurities and jealousies. This is not my first experience with “shark week,” for sure. 

And we are told there is an enemy that lurks in the space our spirits swim. In fact, we don’t even have to hold his tooth for proof, we know he is there. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” He is ready to distract us in faith and alienate us in fear, he lurks and pounces when we are deep-diving in the sea of doubt. But when you are a child of God—dear sisters, he is not victorious! He cannot. He will not. Eat you. How do we know? Because: 

In Christ you can access all spiritual strength and power.

God’s love saves and surpasses all knowledge. 

Friends, you are given an unsinkable spirit.

Christ’s love surpasses

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14, 19). 

Paul wanted us to understand that God’s love extends beyond what we know or can comprehend. Beyond the tangible fear you may right now hold in your hand. 

And I have to say these last several months, almost every night, I’ve anchored my prayers and thoughts to this strength in Ephesians Chapter 3. God’s greater love, over and above, His best love—well, it has buoyed me in several storms and shark attacks. And it’s in this love I’ve discovered the ability to keep on loving others. I’ve fought fear and found renewed hope to float. Also, to swim. Plus, hunt for sharks’ teeth, again.