As I was peering into the lovely blue/green water with the soft, white sand beneath my feet recently at a beach, it took me a few days to observe that every now and then a few fish would be swimming by my legs! They never brushed against me so I did not realize they were right there.
The day I finally noticed it, first a yellow and black striped fish swam by and then two sun fish. Later in the week there were schools of fish finding their way in the water. The thought of those fish being there intrigued me to think more about God and His infinite vastness.
A school of fish passing by
I have always had a love, a special place of connecting with God, when at the ocean which started when I was a young girl and my family would frequent Wildwood, NJ. When it was time to return home, I recall being sad. Looking back now, maybe it was because I felt I wouldn’t be in His Presence as much since I encountered Him at the ocean.
This year my ocean experience made me think about all the life that takes place in the ocean waters without us really even realizing it. Yes, from the whales, to dolphins, to starfish, to jellyfish, to coral reefs, to rocks, to seahorses. There is a whole world of life going on in the ocean waters that often goes by unnoticed by us in our daily lives especially if we do not live near the water.
Evidence of life in the ocean waters
If the water was not so clear and I didn’t look down into the water at the right time, I would not have even known there were fish that close to me or the shore!
Hope you can spot the fish!
Isn’t that a great reminder of how God is always at work in this world?
He makes the ocean waters a working world in and of itself; the same goes for all of nature…the trees and plants that continually change and evolve…the wild animals of the world that roam about and populate.
The only day of seaweed in the ocean waters–evidence of oceanic life
Isn’t that a great reminder of how God is always at work in our lives orchestrating events and moments?
We don’t physically see Him on this earth yet He is always present creating, sustaining and working on our behalf in our lives!
Have you seen Him with the eyes of our heart working in every aspect of your lives?
How amazing is it to think He is always prowling about working everything out for us?
**Think about that person you happened to run into walking down the rail trail who is a friend of yours. Neither of you usually go there! Seeing that person reminded you to say a prayer for them asking the Lord to bless them in whatever their need may be.
**Think about the timing of events when you took a leap of faith to message someone on social media you met before and end up finding you can join in prayer with a major struggle they are walking through?
**What about that person who surprised you with some flowers just when you needed a little encouragement in your life?
Yes, God is always at work in everything in this world….from the ocean waters, to the highest mountain, to your life.
Therein lies the challenge I present to you this week…
“I am a God who is everywhere and not in one place only. No one can hide where I cannot see them. Do you not know that I am everywhere in heaven and on earth?” –Jeremiah 23:23-24 (GNT)
Through him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without him. –John 1:3 (GNT)
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” –Job 12:7-10 (NIV)
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:19 (NLT)
Yes I can certainly think of a FEW times….with flowers….and prayers of friends!
It is remarkable how God presents Himself through creation 🙂
Many thanks for reading, Carol; I’m glad you could relate and see God at work in all of His creation too! Blessings~
Christine, my wife and I always feel His presence when we’re at the beach. We feel so small when looking out at the ocean but we know no matter how small we feel, we still matter to Him. Thank you for your reflections !
I’m so glad you and your wife feel God’s presence at the beach too so you understand! Yes, what great truth that I wholeheartedly agree with and experience. 🙂 I appreciate your faithfully reading and taking the time to share. I hope your travels this summer will include a beach trip!