Emma Dieterle
“Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.”
Acts 15:18
God has truly made everything beautiful, perfect, and detailed. The firefly is a beetle that is fascinating to all of us. On beautiful summer nights, seeing them flitting about, as the flashes flicker on and off, coming from the underpart of their bodies, is an amazing experience. I have experienced watching these creatures many times. These fireflies show God’s creativity. Let us discover more about these twinkling insects!
In some tropical areas, there are large firefly species that natives keep in glass cages to use for light. Scientists would like to duplicate this kind of heatless light, because it is much more efficient than electricity. They know how the light is produced, but the reaction is so complex that it is impossible for man to make it. We should not be surprised at this, because it is a very special reaction created for these insects by their divine Creator.
As the firefly starts life in the ground, even its eggs have a glow to them. Before it is ready to fly, it develops into a glowworm. You may have seen them shining beautifully as they crawl around looking for food.
There is another illuminated insect found in some caves in New Zealand. This little fly, while still a maggot, gathers with other in groups of several thousands on the ceilings of caves and glows in the darkness. It first attaches itself to the roof of the cave. Then a two-foot long string drops from its mouth with small, sticky balls on it. It waits in the darkness, with its tail light glowing, until it feels a victim struggling to get loose from one of the sticky balls. Pulling it up, it eats the victim along with the line on which it is caught. Then it lets down a new string. How amazing is our God! He is definitely a God of detail and intricacy. He has made everything perfect and beautiful!
There are over half a million species of insects that abound throughout the world, and yet God has made each one different. This variety of creation speaks of His handiwork. Colossians 1:16 says, “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” All these little creatures, are exactly the same today as they were the day they were created. God designed each one to bring forth after its own kind. Furthermore, they always obey His laws without question. He has everything in His hands! Psalm 50:11 declares, “I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.”
We are reminded from these light displays that the Lord Jesus is our True Light of the world. God has given His people a special kind of light which He wants us to display. Matthew 5:16 says, “”Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” He is our lamp and leads us into all truth. 2 Samuel 22:29 declares, “You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.”
Psalm 27:1 says, “The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” He is our light. It is only when by faith we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior that He brings us “out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1Peter 2:9 declares, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” His light is kindled in our hearts when we are following Him. When we acknowledge and believe in the Lord then we can glorify the Lord and share His glorious grace and light! The light of a Christian life, shining for Him, is rewarding and full of treasures and blessings. Isaiah 60:1 says, “Up! let your face be bright, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is shining on you.” Let us give thanks today for His light and salvation on our lives!
Love this story Emma. I loved Fireflies as a young girl and captured them and put in a jar. I would never do that now, but I didn’t realize it was unfair to them. You did a lot of research! Great job!!!