I saw this spider in our flower bed today. I've always been fascinated by spiderwebs (not really spiders though) and this zig-zag spiderweb is even more amazing. The zig-zag is actually called a stabilimentum. No one actually really knows what it is used for. I think it is amazing all the same how this tiny creature can make this intricate design in its web. There's proof for creative design right there. A thing like that could not just happen. Someone had to put into these little black and yellow garden spiders the information to make the designs, plus the materials for making it. I know Who did it. He wrote a book about it. :-)
[detail of spidey's zig-zag]
But that wasn't really what I was thinking about today. I was struck by the endurance of the common spiders, things that we don't think much of, but they
last and don't give up easily. It reminded me of these verses:
"There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces." Proverbs 30:24-28 No matter how big or little a house or building is, spiders can always find a way to get in. They're not stopped by doors or walls, all that keeps normal things out. But the spider never gives up. It keeps on working, doing what God planned for it to do by ridding the world of a few more insects. So what was the spider's lesson for me? To keep on doing what I know is right for me to do, even when it's not what others around me are doing. To keep on the right path, keep my eyes on the goal even when I can't see it clearly. To keep my focus on my Savior and read His word
a lot so that His way is plain to me. To never, ever give up, even when it seems hopeless. To keep pressing on, even when dreams fade and life goes on and I grow weary of the race I must run.
"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:7-14
Life does grow weary at times, but recently I've able to enjoy it more because I've learned to give up more of what I think will make me happy, but really makes me grumpy, selfish, and intolerable to be around. Once I found out that real joy only comes by sacrificing self will, it became a lot easier to give up my own way. But like the verse said, I'm not perfect already, (just ask my siblings!) just following my Jesus as close as I can. My only fear is that I'm on a mountaintop now and there's probably a valley close ahead. My mountaintops and valleys are a lot closer together now than they used to be.
...this picture doesn't have anything to do with this post, but I had to post it anyway :-)
[Audrey]
[Hannah]
[this one of Melissa was actually taken earlier this year]
But that wasn't really what I was thinking about today. I was struck by the endurance of the common spiders, things that we don't think much of, but they last and don't give up easily. It reminded me of these verses: "There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces." Proverbs 30:24-28 No matter how big or little a house or building is, spiders can always find a way to get in. They're not stopped by doors or walls, all that keeps normal things out. But the spider never gives up. It keeps on working, doing what God planned for it to do by ridding the world of a few more insects. So what was the spider's lesson for me? To keep on doing what I know is right for me to do, even when it's not what others around me are doing. To keep on the right path, keep my eyes on the goal even when I can't see it clearly. To keep my focus on my Savior and read His word a lot so that His way is plain to me. To never, ever give up, even when it seems hopeless. To keep pressing on, even when dreams fade and life goes on and I grow weary of the race I must run.
