 |
| Photo by r Peretz Partensky 2011 |
As my husband and I strolled on our favorite beach last
week, we were struck by the harmony of God’s creation, just a short ferry ride
from the dissonant chaos of the world reeling from the blow of coronavirus.
The numbers of new cases and deaths in the United States
and elsewhere grew exponentially. Schools, universities, theme parks, public
beaches and state parks, and most businesses and churches had closed.
Joblessness and unemployment claims soared while global stock markets took a
nose dive. Fear and panic spread, not only over contagion, illness, and death,
but over shortages of COVID-19 tests, critical care beds, and health care
workers. Shoppers crowded together, potentially hastening spread of the virus,
just to stockpile food and confront empty shelves that should be loaded with
toilet paper.
Despite the catch phrase, “We’re all in this together,” the
crisis seemed to bring out the worst in some people. Two brothers were arrested
for stockpiling and price-gouging 170,000 bottles of hand sanitizer. A thief
disguised as a delivery driver hijacked a truckload of medical grade masks
designated for health care workers. “Covidiots” who flagrantly rebelled against
quarantine and social distancing measures seemed hell-bent on risking the lives
of others.
But on this private beach, the weather was idyllic; the
occasional beachcomber or jogger waved politely from a safe distance; and the
cares of this world seemed far away. The gentle waves advanced and retreated along
the shoreline, a reminder that God created and controls all, even telling the
sea how far it can invade the beach (Job
9:1-10; 28:11). He may allow Satan to test His children, but He
places a hedge of protection around us beyond which Satan cannot venture (Job 1:8-12). Any trial He allows
is for our ultimate good and His ultimate glory.
Far more numerous than humans on this beach were fowls of
the air, mostly congregating in groups. Three pelicans patrolled the skies in
squadron formation, flying parallel to the shoreline. The first would flap its
powerful wings, then the second, then the third, and then all three would soar
motionless on the resultant air current. Then the cycle would repeat in
mesmerizing rhythm.
These birds reminded me of the Trinity – God the Father,
Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit – all working together in perfect
unity to accomplish Their perfect will (Matthew
3:16-17; John 14:16-26). Once we are saved by trusting in the
death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), His Holy Spirit enters our hearts,
teaching us about Jesus John 14:17).
In turn, Jesus Christ is the perfect representation of the Father (Hebrews 1:3), and the only Way to
Him (John 14:6). In Christ we
have the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians
2:9).
High up along the dunes was a murder of crows, cawing
raucously at one another to defend their claim to a washed-up horseshoe crab.
This collective term seems fitting for birds with an unsavory reputation for
being selfish and greedy. Yet God is able to use even these for His own
purposes – in this case, as scavengers to clean up an otherwise pristine beach.
Scripture tells us that God used ravens, which are larger,
more menacing relatives of crows, to feed the prophet Elijah. Shortly
thereafter, God would use Elijah as an instrument of His provision and healing
(1 Kings 17:8-24), and as His
soldier in spiritual battle against the prophets of Baal, to prove that Jehovah
was the true God who could bring rain to a parched, famine-struck land (1 Kings 18). Rather than pecking
his eyes out, as one might expect from these cruel birds seeing Elijah in his debilitated
state, they brought him bread and meat every morning and evening as he waited
on God’s perfect timing (1 Kings 17:8-24).
A flock of ravens is termed an "unkindness,”
"treachery,” or "conspiracy,” yet God can soften even the hardestheart to bend to His will. It reminded me that the two brothers, driven by greed
to profit from people’s fear of contagion, ultimately donated their hoarded
hand sanitizer to a local church and to others in need.
As we climbed up the dunes to the scrub pines separating
the beach dwellings, a flock of mourning doves scattered from the branches, a
symbol of God turning our weeping into joy (Psalm
30:5) and our mourning into dancing (Isaiah 51:11; Psalm 30:11), through His salvation and
the blessed hope (Titus 2:13) of
His soon return for His children at the Rapture (Psalm 55:6; 68:13; Isaiah 60:8)
How appropriate that a flock of doves, particularly when
released upward into the heavens at a wedding, is known as an “exaltation of
doves!” We can be still, knowing that
God is to be exalted above the heavens (Psalm
18:46; 46:10; 57:5,11), and His Son to be exalted with a Name
which is above every name (Philippians
2:9).
At dusk, just after the golden orb of the sun had vanished
below the horizon, illuminating the clouds in soft rose and coral light, we
wandered over to the deserted pool. After I swam a few laps, I paused to look
up and spotted an osprey, a strand of seaweed in its beak, flying majestically
from the beach to a tall Norfolk Island pine, where it perched on the highest
branch. Its mate was already there, as evidently they had returned to the same nesting
spot where we had seen them several years ago.
There is no collective term for osprey, as they typically
travel alone or in pairs. They choose the highest spot for their nest, which is
often built upon and used for up to four generations. These birds reminded me
that regardless of nationality, politics, financial security, race, or gender, God’s
children are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians
3:28).
Our relationship with Him supercedes all others, for He
alone must have the preeminence in our life (Matthew 6:33). The church, or called-out body of believers (Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12),
is the bride of Christ (Revelation 21:2),
destined for Heaven and even now seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6) in Him!
No matter what perils threaten us, we can trust God, Who
cares even for the birds of the air and so much more for us (Luke 12:6-7), to work all things
together (Romans 8:28) for our
good and His glory! He is still on His throne, and the temporary distress we
endure here is but a fleeting moment (2
Corinthians 4:17) when compared to the beauty, glory, love, joy and
peace we shall experience throughout eternity!
© 2020 Laurie Collett
