“God that made the world and all things therein . . . is Lord of heaven and earth. . . . In Him we live, and move, and have our being.” Acts 17:24-28
The white pelican is found in many places around the world, including the United States and Canada. Its huge, broad bill with a pouch on the underside is the most noticeable feature about it, along with its beautiful wings which spread 8 to 10 feet across. Although this large water bird walks awkwardly, it is graceful when flying or swimming.
Pelicans thrive on a diet of fish and sometimes work together to catch them. Large numbers of these birds will swim together in a line, beating the water with their wings. Frightened fish find themselves trapped as the birds scoop them up in their open bills. With their stomachs filled, they return to shore to digest the meal and soon fly into the air in great flocks. They are often seen flying single file.
These large birds nest in groups of a thousand or more on the shores of an island or inland lake. The females lay just two eggs that take a month to hatch. The chicks have no feathers at first and are quite ugly, but the mother is very attentive, keeping them well fed with fish which she first digests and then brings back up into her pouch. Opening her upper bill wide, she lets the little ones help themselves, which they are always ready to do, practically crawling into her pouch in their hurry. The little chicks stay in the nest three months before learning to fly and then are taught how to catch their own fish.
With their 8- to 10-foot wingspan, adults glide on air currents, covering as much as 40 miles or more a day over water in search of fish. When a fish is spotted near the surface, the bird dives down and scoops up several quarts of water in its pouch along with the fish. Lifting its head to let the water run out, it then gulps down the fish.
It is easy to understand why fishermen don’t like the competition from pelicans. Actually, much of pelicans’ catch is made up of sick or injured fish, which the fishermen wouldn’t want anyway.
The Bible verse above causes us to think of God as the Creator of every living thing on earth. But what is more important is that everything we do depends on His care and loving-kindness. How important it is to accept His invitation to take the Lord Jesus as our Savior. His Word, the Bible, says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). When we do this, He calls us His sons and daughters and assures us of eternal life with Him. Are you clean and forgiven?
ML-07/29/2018