The Arctic Terns

“Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O House of Israel?’”
Ezekiel 33:11 (NKJV)

I was fascinated by the phenomenon of Arctic Terns. They travel from Arctic to Antarctic and for some unique reason they turn back to their original habitat, by choosing a different route, a round trip of about 45,000 miles. Through tracking device, researchers have found that some cover much greater distances. Amazingly, they find exact locations because God has set a navigating system in their little brains or ‘sat nav’ in modern terms.

Humans have far superior brains with a capacity to think, express emotions, free will power, creative abilities and much more than any other creatures. God put Humans in a beautiful habitat originally from which they were cast out because they sinned. But He has made provision and wants mankind to turn to Him through His Son, Jesus, and partake of the tree of life. Perfectly designed Arctic Terns, which weigh only a quarter of a pound, or about 125 grams, perform an astounding feat to return to its original habitat without any fuss. It made me to think—what lesson can we learn from Arctic Terns?

The lesson: By repenting and accepting Jesus, we can turn to God and regain access to our original habitat. Peter reveals the path in Acts 2:38, “ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Further, Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” That is the Way, we must turn to. God, through His watchman, warned Israel in Ezekiel 33:1-33 to turn to Him and be saved and not perish, for He does not want the wicked to die.

Arctic Terns glorify God by doing what they are programmed by God to do, but humans are created in the image of God, and we glorify Him by turning to Him. The chief reason for life is to glorify God and enjoy His blessing and live for ever. Arctic Terns live their life span of about 30 years and die, logging more than a million miles during their lifetime. God has set eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11) and wants to give us everlasting life. He is pleading to the wicked to turn to Him and be saved. “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, not death,” says God in Deuteronomy 30:19. Or, in other words, turn to me all you wicked and be saved.

Prayer
Father in heaven, help us to heed your warning and turn to You with all our heart and mind and soul, and be saved by Your grace through Faith. In Jesus name, I pray and give thanks.
Amen

Study by Natu Moti

____________________________________________

About the Author:
Natu Moti is a Deacon in the Birmingham Congregation of the Worldwide Church of God, UK, a part of Grace Communion International.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Birmingham
All Saints Church
George Road
BIRMINGHAM
B23 7QB

Meeting Time:
Saturday 1pm

Local Congregational Contact:
David Gibbs
Phone: 01213420609 (answer phone)
Mobile: 07974440580
Email: david_gibbs@wcg.org.uk