 |
| Photo by Nevil Dimins 2005 |
As we sat overlooking the beach at our island getaway last evening, we enjoyed the golden sun reflecting off the cobalt blue water as it sank below the horizon, illuminating the scattered clouds in rose and orange hues. Sandpipers were scampering along the edge of the waves, terns were bobbing for coquina shells, and the "local Air Force" -- a flock of pelicans -- were soaring majestically overhead. But no dolphins.
"It's been a long time since we've seen dolphins here," my husband remarked.
As if on cue, a solitary black fin appeared out of the waves, followed by another, and then we saw the full body of a dolphin leaping from the waves and frolicking in the shallow waters along the coast.
It is amazing how God speaks to us in troubled times, sending us love letters meant especially for us. When my husband was first diagnosed with prostate cancer, He sent us a glorious double rainbow over the beach, reassuring us of His faithfulness, mercy and grace. Now that the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is creating chaos and fear across the globe and in the lives, homes and workplaces of families everywhere, I believe He spoke His peace into our hearts through the appearance of these dolphins.
Four years ago I had a dream about three dolphins as a symbol of the omnipotence of the Triune Godhead, and now He reminded me of this vision by placing three real dolphins where we could appreciate their beauty. Below is the blog post I wrote in 2015 about my dream. Praying that it will be a blessing, and praying for health, safety and wisdom for all as they deal with the consequences of COVID-19 in their own lives and in their local and global communities.
Reposted from 2015:
In this dream I am at a dance audition held in a studio at
the beach. As I watch the choreographed combination each of us will have to
perform for the judges, I feel confident that I will be able to dance the steps
with ease and grace. But when it is my turn to take the floor, I can barely
move and I almost fall over because I am wearing a bulky winter jacket and coat
and heavy street shoes.
I ask the director if I can remove these, and she says yes,
but that I’ll have to leave them outside on the beach because there is no room
in the studio.
When I reach the sand dunes and hear the pounding surf, I
am reluctant to set my extra clothes and shoes down on the beach, wondering if
they’ll be safe. Will they wash away, or will someone take them? But finally I
remove my winter gear, and I feel a great sense of freedom as the waves lap at
my feet and the ocean breeze ruffles my hair.
As I look out at the waves, I am thrilled to see three
dolphins swim by, parallel to the shore. I glimpse the first leaping from the
water then diving back in, just long enough for me to appreciate his beauty and
vitality. The second is invisible, not emerging from the sea, but I can tell
from currents on the water’s surface that he is there.
The third dolphin is a fantastical creature, much larger
and more powerful than the first. As he flies out of the ocean and hovers over
the waves, I can see his elaborately developed and ornate fins gleaming on his
silvery body. One brilliant gold, fan-shaped fin on his back is like that of a
sailfish; several fins crown his head; and a long sword-like bill protruding
from his mouth resembles that of a swordfish.
This vision of the dolphins fills me to overflowing with
unspeakable joy. With no fear I leave my excess garments on the beach and run
off to tell the others what I have seen. But back in the studio, everyone is
preoccupied with the audition and no one listens to me. Some clearly just don’t
care; some politely brush me off; and a few are rude and even hostile as they
order me out. So I leave, with great sadness that no one would be able to see
the majestic dolphins or to experience the joy they brought me.
As I awaken, I think of the burdens, sins and weights that
encumber me as I try in my own strength to run the race He has set before me (Hebrews 12:1; 1 Corinthians 9:24).
Why do I so foolishly cling to these, instead of laying them down at the foot
of His cross (1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 11:28) where
I can exchange my burdens for His blessings? The dance of life is effortless in
His grace when I follow His lead, but when I rely on my own flesh, I can barely
move.
Jesus Christ is the Living Water, our endless Source of
energy, freedom, and cleansing (Song
of Solomon 4:15; Jeremiah 2:13; 17:13; John 4:10; Revelation
7:17). His shed blood washes away our sins and carries away our excess
baggage, just as the tides faithfully empower the waves to clear out debris left
on the shore (Revelation 1:5).
The first dolphin represents Jesus the Son, come to earth
in the flesh (John 1:14) to be
the perfect sacrifice for our sins (Romans
3:25; 1 John 2:2; 4:10). The second, unseen dolphin
symbolizes the Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus Christ to live within the heart of every
believer (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians
1:13; 4:30), invisible like the wind except in the effects He
has through His great power (John 3:8).
And the third glorious creature reminds me of Christ Who
will come again, wearing His crowns (Revelation
19:12) as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16) and
carrying His fan of judgment (Matthew
3:12; Luke 3:17). His victorious Word will proceed from His
mouth (Revelation 19:15,21),
sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews
4:12), to defeat the enemies of Israel, Satan, sin and death (Revelation 19:15-21).
Once we believe that Jesus died to pay our sin debt, was buried,
and rose again on the third day (1
Corinthians 15:1-4), and recognize Him as our personal Lord and Savior,
His Holy Spirit enters our hearts and lives there (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) until we go home to be with Him. In
the meantime, we have the glorious, blessed hope of His second coming (Titus 2:13), when we will
accompany Him as armies led by our King of Kings (Revelation 19:14). Through Jesus we have the fullness of the Godhead bodily: the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
What an amazing message that anyone who is born again (John 3:3-8) should want to shout
from the rooftops to all who will listen! The Bible shows us many examples of
those who were saved and immediately left what they were doing to proclaim the
Good News to everyone, including the shepherds (Luke 2:17-18), the woman at the well (John 4:28-29), and the apostle Andrew (John 1:40-42). Many of us, in the excitement of being newly
saved, did the same.
But sadly, many to whom we witness are apathetic, polite
but unconvinced, or even aggressive in response to our testimony. Sadder still,
that response may quench our fire to tell others the life-saving,
destiny-changing Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thankfully, our mission is not to save or even to convert
anyone, for only the Holy Spirit can do that. Our mission is to sow the seed of
God’s Word and our story of how He changed us forever (2 Corinthians 5:17). We may think our sowing is bearing no
fruit, but there may be many whose heart is softened by our words and deeds,
later becoming receptive to accepting Christ (Matthew 13:3-23).
For the most part, we won’t know of these until we reach
glory, but what a joy it will be to meet them and realize we played a part in
their being in Heaven! And I believe Jesus Christ will reward us for all good
words spoken on His behalf, whether or not they reach fertile soil (Matthew 25:21, 23).
May we not grow weary in spreading the Good News,
regardless of what reaction we encounter! In the right season we will reap our
harvest (Galatians 6:9; 2
Thessalonians 3:13), for God notices and will reward our labor!
© 2015 Laurie Collett
.jpg)
.png)
