Every creature has an element in which it thrives. What is an ideal environment for one may not be for another (cf. Prov. 30:19). When we are uncomfortable in a particular environment, we feel like a fish out of water.
God is our ideal environment. He is the Giver of “every good and perfect gift” (Jas. 1:17).
He created the world and set us in the beautiful, life-sustaining Garden of Eden to walk in sweet fellowship with Him. Sin interrupted our fellowship with God and brought death into the world (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:24; Rm. 5:12). What Satan touted as most desirable, proved, instead, to be most uncomfortable. Instead of walking with God in the cool of the day, Adam and Eve hid themselves from Him. The presence of sin caused them to feel like a fish out of water in the presence of God.
But God set into motion His redemptive plan through which our Savior and Redeemer would recreate an environment in which reconciliation with God could become a present reality (Gen. 3:15; 2 Cor. 5:19). In Christ “we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses…” (Eph. 1:7). Jesus makes us comfortable in the presence of the Father because He has taken care of the problem of sin. We no longer feel like a fish out of water, but part of His family.
As we walk in the light of His word, we are recipients of “all spiritual blessings” and, in Him, the perfect environment for living a full and abundant life (1 Jn. 1:7; Eph. 1:3; Jn. 10:10). In His presence, we no longer feel like a fish out of water; but as one who has found his or her ideal environment. As Paul so beautifully expressed it: “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Ph. 1:21).
Apart from Jesus, we are “without God” in this world (Eph. 2:12). In Christ, we have strong hope for life everlasting (Hb. 6:19; Tit. 1:2). In Him, there is life (1 Jn. 5:11-12). This is where we belong. This is why our loving Creator sent His Son into the world to pay the price for our sins (Jn. 3:16). By His grace, we belong in His presence and look forward to our journey to our eternal home where we will abide in the light of His glory forever (Jn. 14:1-3; Rev. 22:5).