The Power of Presence

How do you perk up a lonely fish? It may sound like the start of a dad joke, but for staff at the Kaikyokan Aquarium in Japan, it was a very real concern. Shortly after the aquarium closed for renovations last month, their sunfish stopped eating, became lethargic, and even began rubbing against the glass, which is a clear sign of distress. The cause? The sunfish was lonely.

On a whim, the staff attached to the outside of his tank life-sized cutouts of human faces with clothes beneath, hoping to mimic the presence of visitors. The next day, to their amazement, the sunfish perked up, swimming to the front of the tank once more as if greeting his friends.

What a beautifull reminder of how deeply we are wired for connection: Much like the sunfish, we struggle when we feel isolated. Just before creating Eve in Genesis 2:18, God declares, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” From the very beginning, we were created for community -- designed to thrive in the presence of others.

When we withdraw from meaningful relationships -- whether due to busyness, hardship, or even a season of life that keeps us at a distance -- our souls can feel the effects. We were never meant to go through life alone. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”

Maybe  you feel a little like that sunfish this week: disconnected, weary, or just going through the motions. If so, take a step toward community. Reach out to a friend, walk to Old Town, or simply show up in worship on a Sunday morning. And if you notice someone else who might be struggling, be an encouraging presence for them. A simple act of kindness, a smile, or even just showing up can make all the difference.

After all, even a sunfish at the Kaikyokan Aquarium in southern Japan knows that life is better when we’re together.