Walking the Beach
On this day as evening approaches, the weather is blustery and white caps dot the ocean’s surface. Walking the beach I lean into the wind to keep my balance, its intensity in stark contrast to the softness of twilight. Blue, highlighted by shades of pink, fades to gray as gathering fog smudges the seascape.
Flocks of seagulls gather for their evening conclave. Some are skittering about calling in reports on the day. Others stand in rows, silent, still, facing into the wind.
Morning and the winds are calm. The pearly grays and blues of dawn brighten slowly, and the sun bursts over the horizon, glowing orange, painting the water gold.
A flock of gulls in full morning voice quiets as the sun rises, then as one they take to the air.
Soon the ascending sun creates a sparkling silver pathway from beach to horizon. It speaks to me of adventure, calling to mind ancient voyagers who followed the call of the sea to discover new worlds. Of those who today plumb the ocean depths in search of its secrets.
Midday and the sun rides high. I close my eyes and soak in the warmth. I hear the incessant wind punctuated by the cries of gulls and the laughter of children, the hypnotic ebb and flow of the surf. Bliss.
My thoughts drift to the recent tsunami and the devastation left in its wake. I try to imagine the horror as an ocean breaks its bounds turning in an instant from benign to terrifying.
I am reminded of the power of nature and the importance of nature’s boundaries to our very survival. Of the God who created nature, who is ultimately in control of our universe.
Lyric’s from a praise chorus sing themselves through my head, “The splendor of the king, clothed in majesty….age to age he stands and time is in his hands….How great, how great is our God!”*
Amen and amen.
*How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlin