Though the calendar has flipped its pages to September I still feel the pulsing beat of summer days. The splashing frogs, the brilliancy of the sunlit sky and the flashing of darting dragonflies all belies the onset of autumn days. As I pause and soak in the beauty that surrounds me I return to the carefree days of my childhood from summers past.
I pass a verdant patch of “touch-me-nots.” Memories assault me as I push back the foliage looking for that bulging seed that with just a touch would burst under the merest twitch of a finger. The distant laughter of others ahead warm my heart as they watch the antics of splashing frogs. Dragonflies flit above my head as I step within their zone near the water’s edge.
The Dragonfly and the Realities of Life
It was the dragonflies that drew my thoughts again to the realities of life. The joy of living seemed to beat within every movement of their flashing wings. As I recalled what I knew of a dragonfly’s life, I realized it probably wasn’t that long ago that that uninhibited and beautiful creature was confined to the muddy and murky depths of the lake. Through the Creators wisdom it now flew unrestricted around the breadth of the pond and beyond. It’s lifespan above the water is short compared to the days beneath. The cooler weather will come and the dragonfly’s days will be done. Yet it seems that the dragonfly rejoices in the present.
Similarly, how many times do we find ourselves struggling through the murky waters of our world today? The dismal outlook takes its toll and to long for something to change is just not enough. Looking at the dragonfly again, we find that in those innumerable days that it lives as a nymph in the depressing mud of the lake that God gave it unusual features for it to survive against predators. Features that it no longer needs when it creeps out of the lake and begins the metamorphosis into an adult dragonfly.
Likewise, God equips us with the personal grace we need as we walk through this world filled with its bleak and gloomy outlook. Just as the dragonfly trusts its days design to its Creator, we too must place our days in the Creator’s hand. As we face the peril and troubles that seem to be unprecedented in our day we can rest in the strength and wisdom of our Creator.
Good Versus Evil
I feel muddled in mind as I wrestle with what I can do to stem the evil tide that is sweeping our country. There is a quote that is fraught with a weight of frightening proportions.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
Edmund Burke
On one hand, I must live out a daily and joyful trust in my Creator, yet on the other hand I must join the fight against the spiritual darkness of this world.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Ephesians 6:12
Within the sorrow and sadness gripping our world today, I find my need for quiet moments with God has escalated. It was just yesterday, that first day of September that God used the well worn path around the small lake to draw me close. A reminder that He is still ultimately in charge despite what the news may broadcast or what social media highlights was one of the lessons of the day.
It was the rejoicing summer days of a dragonfly that helped me to turn my eyes once again to the Supreme God of the universe. Consequently, I offered praise to the Sovereign Lord, as I walked that path. It is His light that will push back the darkness. God is ultimately the Victor, despite what plays out on the world’s stage.
Summer Days and Lessons from the Dragonfly
As the summer days relentlessly slip away, signs of autumn’s arrival will become more numerous. As we face the muddied waters of spiritual wickedness, breathe deep from the beauty of God’s creation. When faced with the murky world of our day, God will equip you with the needed grace.
- For this moment take the next step in trust.
- Rejoice in the gifts of today.
- Praise the Sovereign God who still reigns and rules.
- Pray against the wickedness of our day.
- Learn the lesson of the dragonfly to trust your days to the Creator.
As we hold close these remaining days of summer, we can rest in the wisdom of our Creator. Whether it be flying near sunlit waters or pushing through the murky depths of the lake God will be faithful.
0 Comments