Look at the Insects: Lessons From God’s World Sample

Light Up Like A Firefly  

Thanks to their signature glow, fireflies are such a marvel and capture our attention under the night sky.  Not surprisingly, they are nocturnal. Looking at them, one could say “people look at its light and worship the God in heaven”. We shall come back to this verse in its actual form a little later. 

There are about 2000 species of fireflies. While fireflies have wings, insects of the same species that have no wings are called ‘Glow worms’. 

Incidentally, in spite of what they’re called, fireflies are not flies, they’re beetles. They are members of the Lampyridae family. The name comes from the Greek “lampein,” which means ‘to shine’.

A chemical reaction takes place inside the bodies of the fireflies that allows them to light up. This type of light production is called ‘bioluminescence’.

Did you know that in all the world the light produced by the firefly is the most efficient?

Fireflies have dedicated light organs that are located under their abdomens. The insects take in oxygen and, inside special cells, combine it with a substance called luciferin (yes, the root meaning of the word, ‘Lucifer’ is - light-bringing morning star) to produce light with almost no heat. The firefly’s light is therefore a cold light with approximately 100 percent of the energy given off as light and only a minute amount as heat. This is necessary because if a firefly's light-producing organ got as hot as a light bulb, the firefly would not survive the experience, needless to add the fire hazard in the neighborhood. 

Friend, you and I are called to be the light of the world!

You might recall the words of Jesus to His followers in Matthew 5: 14-16: “You are the light of the world” … and He went on to say: “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”.

Obviously, we are not expected to develop bio-luminescence in our cells, but to exhibit ‘good works’ so that people will see the difference the Lord makes in our lives and praise our Father in heaven. 

Paul picked up on the ‘good works’ motif in Ephesians 2: 10: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them”. 

Yes, we are saved by grace and not by works, as the earlier verse outlines, but we are saved unto good works. 

So, in a world where people love darkness rather than light (John 3:19), let us show the glory of Christ through our good works. Let me read the same words of Jesus as portrayed in The Message version. It is a call to open up in these days of lockdown - Matt 5: 14-16: “You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

Friend, it is time to ‘Rise & Shine’. 

May God bless us and make us a blessing!