The manta ray is the largest of the ray family. It measures up to 22 feet across its “wings”, is ten feet long from head to tail, and weighs up to one-and-a-half tons. It lives in tropical oceans. Surprisingly, it has very small teeth and is actually one of the harmless creatures of the sea, feeding mostly on plankton (tiny plant and animal life).
A diver who recently saw one tells that at first he was afraid of it, but then he was surprised to find it quite friendly. After looking the diver over, the manta ray dropped down below him, barely moving. So in a bold moment’s decision, the diver also dropped down and gently landed on its back with his legs spread out and his hands on its shoulders. Soon its wings began to slowly beat, and the diver realized he was off on a trip with no idea how it would end. But he was pleased to find he wasn’t thrown off and that the manta ray seemed to be enjoying his company.
The ride didn’t last long, but was quite a thrill. When he told other divers about it, some of them decided to try the same thing to see if it would also give them a ride. Sure enough, it did. But the first diver found his last ride on another day the most thrilling. This time the manta ray carried him out into deep water, past sharks and schools of fish and other creatures. However, he couldn’t stay down too long or he’d be in trouble. When he finally let go, his new-found friend seemed surprised, stopped beating its wings and glided just a short distance away, as if waiting for him to climb back on.
As far as we know, no one else has had experiences such as this man and his friends had. We hope it impressed on them a real awareness of the wonders of God’s creation, for all the creatures of the oceans are included in the Bible verse that says, “For by Him were all things created... and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist [continue to exist].” Colossians 1:16,1716For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Colossians 1:16‑17).
The Bible also tells all boys and girls to “remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth” (Ecclesiastes 12:11Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; (Ecclesiastes 12:1)), and to know Him not only as the One who created and watches over them, but who loves each and every one. He invites you to know His Son, the Lord Jesus, as your Saviour. He died on the cross to put away the sins of all who trust Him to forgive them. He will then accept you as one of His own children, with the promise of a heavenly home when life on earth is ended.
ML-12/15/1991