The "Convention"

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

Photo by Laurie Collett 2023

After the Storm

Photo by Richard Collett 2023 

A few days after Hurricane Idalia hit Florida, we set out for our beach house with some trepidation. Although landfall had been considerably further north, and there were no immediate reports of damage, we really didn’t know what to expect from the storm surge. Neighbors had posted pictures of water breaching the sand dunes, passing under the beachfront homes, and crossing the street to the homes bordering the lagoon.

But thankfully, the homes are all raised on stilts; the winds had not been severe; and we found no structural damage to our home. As we had feared, the sand dunes that protect the beach from erosion had been leveled by the waves, and there were no signs of the brown rabbits and mourning doves that used to make their homes there. The sea turtle nests were washed away with the tide, and the pounding surf had dumped piles of sand underneath the homes.

From the photos, we had expected that the beach itself would have disappeared, covered in water that would prevent a stroll to admire the views and search for treasures. But to our astonishment, the beach was suddenly three or four times wider than it had been on our previous visit! Apparently the storm surge had dredged up sand from the ocean bottom and deposited it on the shore!

In fact, the excess sand had buried beach chairs, a grill, hose and trash can under our home. A rope placed across the path to the beach, once at waist level, was now by our ankles! When I thought of repeated attempts by the county to “renourish” the beach by dredging and depositing sand on the shore, at considerable taxpayer expense and resident inconvenience, I wondered if God were laughing (Psalm 2:4; 59:8), for He accomplished the same thing overnight, and much better at that!

Reassured by our findings, I began our stay with my favorite ritual of an early morning swim. The water that had been almost like a hot tub on our previous visit was now pleasantly refreshing, most likely from the cold rain that fell during the storm. But this day was sunny, the sky a brilliant blue with only a few wispy clouds.

As I began my aquatic exercise I noticed three such clouds overhead that transformed before my eyes. The cloud on the left became a rippled V-shape, like fanning flames, and the one on the right took on an elongated cumulus shape, glowing as it was backlit by the sun.

The cloud in the center was at a first a simple, empty cross, on which then appeared the body of Christ, crucified and slumping, a mournful expression in His eyes. But as I watched, the cloud changed and grew, so that His body was draped in a robe, His arms outstretched and head lifted as if He were ascending, and the cross was no longer visible.

I continued gazing in amazement, but within moments, the three clouds had dissipated into a few indistinguishable traces. To me, this had been a clear depiction of the Trinity (Luke 3:22; 1 John 5:7): the fanning flames representing the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4); the glowing cloud God the Father, Who appeared to Moses as a burning bush (Exodus 3:1-4) and to the Israelites as a pillar of fire over the tabernacle (Exodus 13:22; 40:38). The crucified, then ascended figure was Jesus Christ the Son, Who died to pay for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), that all who trust Him would have eternal life (John 3:16).

Physically and spiritually renewed, I joined my husband for a stroll on the beach. What a delight to see so many live coquinas, which had been absent on an earlier visit except for their cast-off shells, busily burrowing into the sand and resurfacing with each new wave! And this prolific bounty had attracted many shore birds: terns, plovers, sandpipers, and even a night heron. Evidently the cooler waters after the storm had again allowed the sea to teem with new life.

Beachcombing was plentiful also, with piles of multicolored scallop and cockle shells, iridescent pen shells, delicate white augurs, and sea potatoes, also known as heart urchins, each with star-shaped clefts once housing the sea urchin’s gills. The sea had churned up many fossils: shark’s teeth and chunks of sea turtle shell and mammal bone.

After a peaceful night’s sleep, soothed by the calming sound of the surf, I again returned to the pool to enjoy some quiet time with the Lord while swimming and admiring His creation. The sun was dazzling, transforming the water into a sparkling mosaic in shades of aqua and robin’s egg blue. The fronds of a palm tree shielding my view of the sun danced in the gentle breeze.

As if emanating from the sun, white clouds rippled, like furrows in the blue field of the sky. Suddenly a round white cloud to the right of this display became illuminated by a rainbow, which was not an arc as rainbows usually appear. The cloud became a glowing orb of rainbow hues – violet, indigo, red, orange, and gold, as if it were the aura surrounding the throne of Christ the King! (Revelation 4:3).

What made this even more astounding was that it had not rained for several days; there was no rain in the forecast; and the humidity was only about 50% -- much lower than normal at a Florida beach. It was clearly a rainbow, but like none I had ever seen before, spectacularly beautiful and occurring in highly improbable conditions! I was so thankful for and blessed by this reminder of God’s promise never again to destroy the earth by water (Genesis 9:13-17).

Sadly, many storms are still brewing as we approach the peak of what is forecast to be a busier than normal hurricane season. Our prayers are with all those affected by hurricanes or in their potential path. Yet, how reassuring to know that our Triune God is with us, no matter what storms we may face; that He speaks tenderly to us through His creation; and that we can depend on His presence and His promises! 

© 2023 Laurie Collett