We have talked about my fascination with insects in the past, as well as my fascination with all of God’s creation. 🙂 One that particularly intrigues me is the firefly. The fact that these little bugs could generate such a warm glow of light captivated me.
The way that God created the firefly is simply amazing. The female eastern firefly (the type that we see here in the northeast) lays her eggs on moist soil. Larvae then hatch and, because they are predaceous or predatory, they begin to feed on other types of insects such as worms, slugs, etc. They will stay in their larval stage for a year or more, living their lives under logs, rocks, and any sunless, moist area they can find. When it is time, they will burrow into the dark, damp ground to pupate. Then they emerge as adults to begin casting that warm glow of light for all to see.
My fascination with insects started at about the age of two or three. It was due, in part, to butterflies and moths. The lightning bug (or firefly) also played it’s part in my fascination. I was absolutely mesmerized by the warm glow of that little beetle. I found it’s impulsive flight through the night sky riveting. That warm glow of illumination would flash and then disappear. That little firefly would extinguish it’s light. And I would strain to find it against the dark night sky. And then, mere feet from it’s previous location, that warm glow would appear again.
I remember standing at the top of the large hill in our yard. It stretched downward, all the way to the Hudson River. And, in my little girl mind, those fireflies resembled a million tiny fairies all aglow, frolicking in the night air. They seemed to illuminate the night sky and the entire field that they occupied.
As a child, I would chase after those flickering little fireflies. And, once I caught them, I’d put them in a jar. Then, I would put some grass in the bottom of the jar and place it, with purpose and care, on my bedside table. And the warm glow of their light would fill the room. The more fireflies I caught, the more brightly they would illuminate the room.
Those fireflies are a lot like us, the followers of Jesus. Scripture tells us (in multiple verses) that there was a point at which we were in the darkness just like those firefly larvae. We too loved the dark.
“And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” John 3:19.
But just as God calls those firefly larvae out of the darkness, He has called us out as well.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9.
Just like those fireflies, we are called to light up the darkness.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.
Jesus is the light of the world. “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12. And, as His followers, we possess that same warm glow of love that He possessed… and through which He defeats the darkness.
If we will shine that light in this dark and hurting world, we can fight back the darkness. “…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” Philippians 2:13-15
As a follower of Jesus Christ, I can make a difference when I allow others to see the light within me. This brings God glory. And the hurting, broken people in this world are drawn out of the darkness too.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” 5:13-16.
And, just like the firefly, the more we come together and shine our light, the brighter that warm glow of Jesus’ love will be in this dark and hurting world!
Church, let’s come together and shine that warm glow of Christ’s love!!
Father, thank you for your love. We praise you for calling us out of the darkness into your marvelous light! Thank you that we can shine your light, and through it you can draw others out of the darkness. Help us to shine that warm glow of Jesus’ love into the darkness Holy Spirit. Be glorified Father! In Jesus name we pray!
Have you been suffering in darkness, overwhelmed by loneliness, depression, anxiety, fear, insecurity? Jesus is the light of the world and can fight back that darkness. He can illuminate your world! God longs to call you His own. He wants to rescue you from the fear and darkness that this world has imprisoned you in. Let Him! All it takes is one simple, heartfelt prayer. When you pray from the bottom of your heart for forgiveness and ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life and to guide you, He WILL call you out of that darkness. Please pray that prayer. Through it, God will shine the light of His love into your heart and illuminate your world with the warm glow of Jesus’ love.
Once you have prayed that prayer, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com. I’d love to be in prayer with and for you.
Luv Ya!
