The Salmon Run
Every summer, Pacific salmon from the ocean swim up freshwater streams in the Pacific Northwest to spawn. It’s a massive natural migration, that supports and sustains the local eco systems of inland streams and forests. That’s because these salmon will die as their bodies shut down from the event. Their remains go on to bring nutrients to the steam, nourish animals that feed on them, and fertilize the forest. Their fertilized eggs will hatch and have what they need to make their own way to the ocean. They’ll eventually return when their instincts tell them and complete the process themselves.
It’s an incredible event that brings in animals and tourists alike. Bears, large birds, marine life, all descend on the inland rivers when the salmon run during the summer. Tourists book vacations to watch this amazing display of God’s design and His circle of life.
We were some of those tourists this summer. Josh, Molly, and I stood at the railings on Creek Street in Ketchikan, Alaska, last month and saw for ourselves this spectacle of nature.
We booked a late summer cruise specifically so we could see the salmon making their way upstream. Iced lattes from a local coffee shop in hand, we watched in wonder as we saw just the backs of the salmon sticking up out of the water. Dark bodies under the surface swiveling and swaying with the steam’s movement, they were kind of hard to see!
But once you saw them, the fish were everywhere along the creek. Gathered in pools of calmer water and huddled at the bottom of a step in the river. We decided they were resting and gearing up to jump up to the next section.
Ravens were on the banks, fighting over salmon torn open at their feet. It smelled, more than just river smell, but fishy. Scanning the rest of the banks I could see why, there were many fish lying on the water’s edge, not making it to the final destination.
We walked a little further up Creek Street to where the stream became rapids, and there was a man-made ladder for the salmon to swim up more easily. There were dozens of people watching, and people behind them waiting for their turn to see the famous scene. I watched the moving water, waiting for a dark body to emerge out of it and launch up the ladder. We ended up seeing several!
As Molly and I looked on, standing beside each other, she said to me, “Isn’t it kind of sad?”
Which started a whole conversation about what we were witnessing.
It was literally the circle of life playing out in front of us. God creatively designed this annual cycle which would ensure life continuously thrived. The salmon don’t even have to think about it, they just listen to the instinct God put in them and follow. Give it all they have and He uses that to not only perpetuate the species but feed all the other life that depends on them. A natural example of how God uses all things together for good.
I also pointed out to Molly the inevitable death of everything on earth. After the Fall, we all will die in one way or another. Could we see that this is one heck of a way to go for a fish? Instead of just swimming around in the ocean and going belly up one day, they get to be a part of something truly awesome. A cycle, a system, that is so much bigger than them. Yet, they are at the center. Measly fish! I mean, we’re all here standing and watching them, right? Oooohh-ing and awe-ing, taking photos. They at least get an audience for their final weeks!
But yes, while awe-inspiring, it was also sad. After talking about the beauty of it, I realized it was important to also acknowledge the reality of it, too. These fish would all be dead in a matter of weeks. They were working so hard, giving so much of themselves–everything–to reproduce and it would kill them. We were watching a spectacular event, but also the death march of the salmon that day.
As you can imagine, the salmon have been running through my mind ever since we saw them run up the stream. The event is so rich in truth and symbolism.
Do we follow our instincts, the guiding of the Spirit in us, wherever He leads? Even to our death? Do we fulfill our purpose with as much focus and energy as these simple salmon? I think we talk ourselves out of it too often. The big moves, the difficult journeys, are too much to ask when we can be comfortable where we are. But if we do choose to follow, like the salmon we too can be a part of something much bigger than ourselves. The sacrifices we make can have a collective impact that directly and positively effects the world around us.
I’ve also been thinking about my Drew. The sadness of his death is still hard to look through sometimes. His story was a tragedy, an unnatural ending of life. But maybe not so unlike this salmon run. He had an audience as he bravely swam up stream in treatment. He gave the journey his all, I can attest! Followed his purpose until the end.
The more time that goes by, I can see that he, too, was a part of something so much bigger than himself. Drew’s life mattered, but his death has meant just as much. It was in his memory that we founded Warrior Wagons, which has grown into something that seems bigger than all of us at this point. And his story is inspiring and encouraging many.
His impact continues today, almost ten years since he took his last breath. I can see that God is using Drew’s life and death for good in this world, just like the fish. It’s a magnificent masterpiece still playing out.
Probably most of the salmon we saw last month have reached the end of their journey. Their death is having arguably a bigger impact than their life as they nourish SE Alaska. They also have freshly inspired my heart, as I’ve thought on their journey’s meaning and purpose in the weeks since our trip. I’ve thanked God for the perspective those fish gave me as I continue to work hard on my own journey.
The experience of watching them with my family, as we currently are, also reminded me of our living hope. It will be a glorious day when death isn’t a part of our world anymore. When the New Earth is our home and we can have all the beauty and wonder without the sadness. We can take it all in, watch spectacular scenes with *all* of our loved ones with only awe and wonder.
Bring on the day!
