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Photo by Laurie Collett 2023 |
On our usual beach stroll my husband Richard and I were at
first delighted by the privacy and solitude. But then we were a little
disappointed that not only were there no people, but there were no birds! This
seemed odd given the beautiful weather, calm seas, wide expanse of beach, and a
variety of species seen on our previous visit.But then, about 300 feet away, we spotted what Richard
referred to as “the convention.” Droves of winged creatures of so many kinds –
sandpipers darting to and fro; shy fawn-colored plovers on spindly legs; stodgy
terns in a variety of colors and patterns. Snowy-white cranes spread their
delicate wings; oystercatchers with tufted heads and long yellow bills stood on
one large, yellow webbed foot; tall blue herons and black and white osprey all
lined the beach, intermingling with one another.
Even the pelicans were well-represented. It is not unusual
to see these prehistoric-looking creatures on air patrol as they fly over the
beach in squadron formation, or floating alone or in small groups as they ride
the ocean waves. But this was the first time we had seen pelicans sitting on
the beach, as if conversing with their peers!
Despite the varied composition of the group, it was a
cohesive unit, moving together on the shore, where they all stood facing toward
or away from the surf, or wading in the shallow water as they hunted for small
fish, crabs or coquinas.
The different songs of each variety were distinguishable –
the mournful cry of the osprey, the tern’s shrill call, and the excited chatter
of the sandpipers. But together the sounds blended into a harmonious symphony.
As we approached, they took to the air, again in unison,
swirling around us in a flurry of excitement, offering stunning views of
outstretched wings and tails changing color with every spread of their
feathers.
“Hope it’s not going to turn into a Hitchcock movie,”
Richard joked.
But far from being frightened, I was delighted to be in the
center of this avian display of power, grace and movement. It brought back
childhood memories of winter vacations on Florida’s east coast, when my grandmother would toss chunks of dry bread into the air for the seagulls to
devour and sometimes even to greedily snatch them from our outstretched hands.
As we marveled at this shoreline “convention,” it reminded
me of what can be accomplished when God’s people gather together and follow His
will. Abraham took the first step of faith by following God on the journey to
the Promised Land, accompanied by thousands of Israelites who would take forty
years to reach their destination (Genesis 12:1-5).
Moses, obeying God’s instructions delivered from the
burning bush, returned to Egypt to deliver the Hebrews from slavery and
captivity under Pharaoh (Exodus 3). As they fled together, God
demonstrated His amazing power by parting the Red Sea for them to pass through
safely, then releasing the waters to destroy the Egyptians who pursued them (Exodus
14).
When thousands gathered on a hillside to hear Jesus preach
and see Him heal the sick, He honored their devotion by feeding them not only
with the daily bread of His Word, but with abundant loaves and fishes He
miraculously produced from a small boy’s lunch! (Matthew 14:13-21).
When Jesus’ followers, and many who had not yet trusted in
His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15::1-4) as the
only way to Heaven (John 14:6), gathered to hear Peter preach,
thousands were saved and added to the church, as a previous gathering of the
disciples at Pentecost had resulted in the Holy Spirit lighting upon each of
them like flames of fire (Acts 2).
Yet gatherings of men apart from God’s direction can cause
great chaos. In millennia past, men motivated by their own ambition and
rebellion against God acted together to build a tower reaching to the sky in
their own vain attempt to become divine. God punished this by giving each group
a separate language, preventing their collaboration (Genesis 11:1-9).
In modern times, we have witnessed human conventions
motivated either by good or by evil. Scripture orders Christians to gather together regularly to worship God, hear His Word, bear one another’s burdens (Galatians
6:2), and encourage one another, even more so as the signs of the times
herald Jesus’ imminent return for His children (Hebrews 10:25).
Members of the church, or body of Christ, come from a
variety of backgrounds and cultures, with different gifts and talents (Romans
12:5-8). Yet whether Jews or Gentiles, male or female, free or slave,
we are all one in Him (Galatians 3:28). The Billy Graham revivals
and similar Christian conventions have led to salvation of multitudes of the
lost and rededication of the lives of many followers to Christ’s service.
Yet contemporary gatherings of world economic and political
powers seem to be ushering in a one-world government, economy, and false
religion, all foretold in Bible prophecy as facilitating the rule of Antichrist
during the Great Tribulation (Daniel 2; 7; Revelation 17:12-13).
Thankfully, we Christians will not be here to see that, for
we will have already gathered in that great convention in the clouds when Jesus
calls all His children home at the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:52).
But then we will return to earth, united as His great army to watch Him defeat
Satan’s army of all nations rallying to attack Israel (Revelation 19:11-21).
Throughout eternity thereafter, the church, or body of
Christ, will have the great privilege of worshiping Him on His throne, people
of all kindred, tongues, and nations synchronously lifting their voices and
hearts to honor the King! (Revelation 7:9-10).
How glorious that will be, even more so than the
“convention” of birds of all different species we saw unified on the ground, in
the air, and in their song, reminding us of God’s infinite creativity, majesty
and power deserving of praise from all His creation!
© 2023 Laurie Collett
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Photo by Laurie Collett 2023 |