Hey, Church!
This past Wednesday and Thursday was the annual lobster “mini-season” here in Florida. With the regular season beginning in August each year, this two-day event at the end of July gives recreational divers the opportunity to catch some “bugs” (as we locals call ‘em) before commercial harvesters go to work. During the regular season, divers are allowed six lobsters per person per day, but during this most wonderful time of the year, that limit doubles to twelve.
I think some of God’s most amazing creative work lies beneath the surface of the ocean. I wish I could take you all on a dive trip to show you around in 3D! But here are just a few of the things I see almost every time I dive our reef here in South Florida, just a couple of hundred yards from the beach.
Sharks are like stealth fighter jets, hundreds of pounds of pure muscle, so perfectly streamlined that they can glide through a stiff current with only the slightest effort. Personally, nurse sharks’ unique tail makes them the coolest to watch swim.
Caribbean reef squid are translucent, alien-like creatures that can change color to match their environment, hover in place like a UFO with lateral fins, and possess incredible intelligence. You can watch it in action here.
Eels come in various sizes, colors, and species. From huge green morays to the smaller spotted eel, these fascinating fish can often be found hiding in the crevices of the reef. Their mouths open and close at a slow, steady tempo to force water over their gills, and their razor-sharp teeth are perfect for feeding on crustaceans and other fish. Watch this spotted eel come out of his hole and bite my camera.
Lionfish are a destructive, invasive species that have no natural predators and reproduce at an extremely rapid rate, which is why hunting them is encouraged. Their beautiful outspread “wings” conceal venemous spines that, if you are unfortunate enough to touch, will deliver a painful needle-like prick, followed by a seizing, fiery sensation in your muscle tissue and about two weeks of soreness (not that I’ve experienced it… more than once). Luckily for us divers, they also make for one delicious fish sandwich! More about Lionfish
The green sea turtle is in my top 3 favorite things to see underwater (octopus and sharks). This one came and gave me a knuckle-bump before gracefully swimming away.
There is a huge variety of fish that are common in our area. I found this short video that identifies just a few.
I could go on and on, but the point is this: God is a creative genius, holy and beautiful like no other.
What about you? What things in nature make you want to pull up a chair and watch for hours? Dwell on those things over the weekend because when we come together on Sunday, I want the walls to shake and hearts to be full when we sing these words:
“Holy, holy, holy! Lord, God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy Name in earth and sky and sea! Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity.”
Your brother,
Ryan
* Vroegop, Mark. 2019. Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament. Crossway: Wheaton, IL, 29.