In 1 Corinthians 1:27, it tells us that the foolish things of the world confound the wise. He designed it that way. “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;” 1 Corinthians 1:27
I have always loved this verse. I was reminded of it when I read an article recently.
The article was about some biofluorescent (glow in the dark) flying squirrels. These squirrels were recently discovered and have created quite a stir in the scientific world.
I thought it might help if I explain a little about the term bioflourescent.
Creatures who are biofluorescent are unlike lightning bugs who are bioluminescent. The term bioluminescent means that the light that the lightening bug emits is produced by a chemical reaction within themselves. Wildlife that is bioflourescent absorbs wave lengths of light that are low or dim. Then, they emit a higher wavelength of light when they are against a dark background or exposed to ultraviolet light. This is what causes them to glow. So, unlike a firefly/lightening bug, they don’t give off their own light, created within themselves by chemical reaction. Instead, their light is produced by absorbing light. Then, they emit it in a different, brighter, glowing, color — typically red, orange or green. But, in these biofluorescent squirrels, they glow a hot pink!!
Imagine those adorable little flying squirrels with their giant nocturnal eyes glowing pink? And what is even cuter? Their ears glow blue! So CUTE!!!
But back to the article. Lol. A scientist who has been involved in studying these squirrels since their discovery said that she had a couple of questions: How do the squirrels glow? And why?
One of the scientists suggested that they may glow because it is a defense mechanism. Another suggested that it may be for the purpose of attracting a mate. Lastly, a third evolutionary scientist suggested that, because bioflourescence has since been found in other mammals such as the South African springhare and the Platypus of Australia, the fluorescent trait may have been present in the most recent common ancestor of all mammals.
Needless to say, the finding of these glow in the dark squirrels is causing quite a scientific stir and lots of studies. Why? Because, as mankind, we have to know why. This is where my verse came to mind. At least three highly intelligent people were interviewed for this article and their questions were, “how” and “why”?
The sad reality is that these people — and probably many more — will spend their entire lives researching these little squirrels to see whose hypothesis (educated guess) is correct. And they may very well die, never having an answer to that question. But they have to understand why and how these little guys glow.
God already answer those questions. I don’t have a PHD. Nor, am I a Biologist. I am, however, a child of God. And, I am proud to be a “foolish thing”.
The “foolish things” that God is referring to in our verse are the children of God. The world and the “wise” think that, if we believe in God, we are foolish.
1 Corinthians 1:18-21 tell us that for those who do not know Christ as their Savior, the things of God are foolishness. “For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate. Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? And, where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.”
The Gospel of Christ is foolishness, to those who reject God, those who refuse to believe and/or to trust Jesus a their Savior.
We were all the “wise” of this world at one point in our lives. We were convinced that there was no God. Or we created a god in our own minds, one who answered prayers like a genie and had no expectations of us. Or we were simply our own god. We sat on His throne and ruled our own lives.
We sought answers to explain away God, just like the evolutionary scientist I spoke about earlier. The “wise” do not acknowledge God. They would rather guess and make up hypotheses than believe in God. They make up reasons for why creation does what it does, disregarding it’s creator. They curse God for things that happen and then deny His existence in the very next breath.
The world worships creation, not the creator. “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” Romans 1:25
I mentioned that God had given an answer to why the squirrels (and other glowing animals) glow. Not through a lengthy scientific explanation. And, not any “brilliant” formula or hypothesis.
He answered through the truth of His word. And it says:
“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”. Romans 1:20
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11
“He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”. John 1:2-4
No scientist will ever be able to fully explain what goes on in the little bodies of those squirrels. Only their creator can.
The creator made those little squirrels. And He made them glow in the dark.
Those squirrels are no different than you and I. They do not have our same DNA. We did not all come from some monkey somewhere. We are all the same, because we were each created uniquely and intricately by a God who ADORES US!! He knows the number of individual pieces of fur on each squirrel, just like He knows the number of hairs on each of our heads. “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”. Luke 12:7.
The squirrels glow to draw our attention to their creator. They glow because that light brings God glory. Just like we live and breath to bring Him glory. They are a testimony to John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Those little squirrels emit light in the darkness the way that God’s children, those who call Christ Lord, emit light in this dark world. And the sole purpose is to draw people who don’t know Christ into a saving knowledge of Him because He desires that none would perish, not a single one. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”. Peter 3:9.
We should each be a little more like those squirrels. We should be living Matthew 5:16 boldly and brightly. 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. Let your light shine Church! Glow!!!
Father, forgive us for questioning you. Forgive us when we tried to explain away your wonder. Forgive us when we rob you of glory. Help us, like those little squirrels, to be wonders of your glorious light in this dark world. Be glorified in all the earth Father! We pray this in Jesus precious and holy name. Amen.
If you look around you at creation, there is no denying a divine and loving creator. But, if you are uncertain about what you believe (like I once was), or if you know there is a God, but don’t know how to gain access to Him, either reach out to me by clicking on this link (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/contact-us/) and filling out the information or click on this link (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. God is waiting. He loves you and desires a relationship. He is reaching out to you through this blog. Reach back.
Let me know where you are, spiritually, and what you need. I’d love to be in prayer with and for you.
Love ya!
