Hello,
I was distressed to hear about the pod of pilot whales that became stranded this week on a beach in the Orkney Islands. At the time of writing 65 out the total of 77 had died.
Scientists are mystified as to why and how such strandings happen. In times past it’s been suggested that pilot whales follow a lead mammal: was this what happened? Did their leader go off course? Pilot whales are sociable animals and swim in groups together: does this explain why so many were found on the shore? It’s also been speculated that their sonar navigational system could be disrupted by noise pollution in our oceans, such as from cargo ships, submarines, etc.
What about us? Do we get mixed signals when we pay attention to the spiritual pollution around us? Does it cause us and others with us to go the wrong direction and we get stranded? The danger is that, because of misleading influences around us, we can become like whales or “fish stinking in the sun, stranded on dry land” (Isaiah 51:3 MSG).
We don’t know for certain, of course, but I hope that our human interference in creation has not led to what happened to the pilot whales.
What we do know for certain, however, is that we should follow Jesus, our guide and the Captain of our faith, and stay on course with him.
Warm regards,
Gavin
About the Writer:
Gavin Henderson is the National Ministry Leader for GCI in the UK and Ireland.