My most recent fascination holds me captive at dusk. Sweet childhood memories delightfully dance across my mind’s eye as the fireflies gaily float across the lawn. Lately returned to our area after several years absence, they offered more than reminiscent delight. Visible only as darkness approaches, their light speaks a truth needful for today: that of shining a light in the darkest of times.
Welcome back to the garden for a time of Garden Grace, where we allow God to reveal Himself through His creation. Once a month we linger together gleaning all He has for us through the beauty of plants, trees, animals and insects. I can’t wait to share my most recent discovery with you!
Though enjoying all times in the garden, my two favorite times are early morning and dusk.
Completely diverse experiences, yet full of the Creator’s revelations of himself. Encountering the fireflies after so long a hiatus, moved me to lean in closer for the whisper of God in these fascinating creatures.
Like heavenly glitter sprinkled over the whole of the garden, the fireflies invite us into a crescendo of light proclaiming the true Light which darkness cannot overcome.
Standing mesmerized, I pondered the significance of the return of the fireflies just now, when the world seems darker and darker with each passing day.
created to shine a light
Fireflies delight adults and children alike, with their inate ability of shining a light. memories of chasing fireflies of a summer’s eve or catching them in jars fill my mind each time I see them.
Members of the beetle family, scientists own to over 2000 species of fireflies world-wide. All with varied “flashing patterns” distinct to their species. Species also vary in the color of their light, showing off yellow, green or orange lights.
Communication, the main purpose of their light and flashing pattern, notifies others in their species of their location and helps males locate females, which have no ability to fly. Even firefly eggs glow!
Fireflies are tiny messengers whispering Hope in the dark
Most astonishing to me, came in a curious fact which states fireflies produce the most efficient light. An incandescent light bulb radiates 90% of its energy as heat, with only 10% as light. Which we know by touching a light bulb lit for any length of time!
Of course if a firefly produced light in the same manner, it would incinerate. God created the firefly to create light through an unreplicable chemical process allowing them to glow without heat, resulting in 100% of their energy producing light.
shining a light in the darkness
As my curious mind further grasped the unique characteristics of the firefly, God began revealing His design in creating me for the unique purpose of shining a light in the darkness too.
John opens his gospel with two metaphors for Jesus; one is the Word, which became flesh and dwelt among us, (John 1:14) and the other is Light; in Jesus abides eternal life which is the light of men.(John 1:4)
As the redeemed, we have the Light of the world dwelling within us, which is not only our gift, but a gift to others.
A true Light meant to shine the love and hope in all darkness as encouragement to one another and also as an invitation to those trapped in darkness.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 1:5
Jesus, the Light of the world in whom there is no darkness at all, (1 John 1:4-5) not only defeats darkness, but ensures the dark forces of sin and evil are powerless to apprehend Him or His own.
As a result, with His Light shining in and through us, no sin and evil can ultimately destroy or apprehend us. God sends us to the darkest places as lights of hope communicating truth in a perverse world.
this little light of mine
Spending time with my little firefly friends reminded me my light shines brighter in darkness and I must take every opportunity for shining a light into the world around me.
- Shining uniquely. As each species of the firefly has varied flashing patterns and colors, so God gifted me with unique spiritual gifts meant for ministering both to the brethren and to unbelievers. I must endeavor to use my giftedness for both the edification and building of His kingdom.
- Shining in word. As communication is one of the main purposes for fireflies’ shining their lights, I must shine my own light in words of hope, truth, and righteousness both to the brethren as encouragement in dark times and as an invitation to light for those in darkness.
- Shining the way. As fireflies also shine their light as a way of locating one another, I must shine my light in the world’s darkness for other believers to find their way to fellowship and comfort, and for lost ones to find their way out of the darkness.
shining a light in the darkest of times
Watching the glittering light all over my backyard garden and woods filled with fireflies, brings beauty as darkness descends. Though our world grows darker bound in sin, evil, suffering, brokenness, selfishness, natural disaster and escalating illness, may we cease not to shine brighter and brighter.
Shining a light of compassion, with words of comfort and encouragement; lighting the way through the darkness to the true Hope and Light.
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:4-5
Heavenly glitter–what a beautiful comparison. I love seeing the fireflies emerge at dusk, igniting joy and sending sparks of hope as the sun goes down. Shining God’s light in the darkness is the best way to share hope with the world.
Lisa, I love to describe the fireflies as heavenly glitter! One night as I watched them that’s exactly how it felt! And thinking about the joy it brought me led me to this delightful lesson!
I love the parallels you brought out between fireflies and our shining God’s light.
Thank you, Barbara, I truly enjoyed lingering with God as He revealed a sweet lesson from the fireflies!
I’m so sad. We don’t have any fireflies here in my part of the Southwest. But you evoked sweet memories from my childhood. And what a lovely analogy! God’s creation is amazing and always points us to Him!
I remember the slow summer evenings chasing fireflies – how sweet and refreshing – and always full of exuberant, joyful life! I love what you’ve done here – it made me think that not only do we chase the light but chase to catch it! Those photos! Were all those little lights fireflies? I’ve never seen that many like that! This summer, I’ve got to watch my grandson chase those fireflies – I hope He chases God like that!
Maryleigh, I have such fond memories of summer evenings chasing (and catching!) fireflies! I am delighted the post evoked such sweet memories for you! YES!! those photos were really full of fireflies, in the woods they are like heavenly glitter everywhere! I love your thoughts on your grandson chasing fireflies and hoping he chases God like that-oh may we all!!
I’ve never seen fireflies in real life Donna. We only have them in certain locations here in Australia.
Great post my friend! Love the analogies!
Blessings,
Jennifer
WOW, Jennifer, never seen fireflies in real life? They are a unique treasure. I don’t think it would be summer here without them! Thank you for your kind words about the post, so pleased it blessed you!
Donna, I’ve been enjoying the fireflies so much this summer, and now here you are with the answers to some of the very questions I had been asking myself about them. So fascinating to learn how efficient their lights are, and what they are used for. And I love your application to us, using our unique gifts and abilities to light the way for others. Wonderful post, my friend!
Aren’t they amazing creatures, Lois? I truly look forward to seeing them each evening. After watching them for several nights, I just had to snoop around for more info on them. We serve an awesome Creator; can you imagine Him thinking of these creatures? I’m so pleased the object lesson blessed you, I sat awestruck as the words to the post poured out, creation can teach us so much if we are willing to listen!
You are truly a firefly to so many of us, Donna! Or as we say down here, a lightning bug. 🙂 Keep shining brightly, friend.
Thank you Lisa for your kind words! I truly desire to be a light to others. By the way I have always called them Lightning bugs, just wasn’t sure anyone else did, glad to meet a kindred spirit!
I’m so thankful that darkness cannot overcome His Light, Donna! Rejoicing with you for your beautiful times in the garden with your Beloved, and the return of the fireflies to your area. Sometimes, it’s the little things that delight our hearts the deepest.
This is such a powerful truth, Donna, “A true Light meant to shine the love and hope in all darkness as encouragement to one another and also as an invitation to those trapped in darkness.”
Lisa, you are so right, I laughed out loud when I realized my delight in the simplicity of the fireflies, isn’t that so like God to remind us of the simple delights he has for us? I am still holding the truth to shine love and hope in the darkness, reminding myself to shine Christ’s light around me, for there are those who cannot find their way otherwise.
What a wonderful post. I enjoyed it so much. One day I want to see fireflies. Here in the Netherlands we don’t have fireflies.
Your explanation sparkled. I really liked the links to what Jesus said and our lives. So thank you, Donna. Sharing a quote: “Love Christ and put nothing before His Love. He is joy, He is life, He is light. Christ is Everything. He is the ultimate desire, He is everything. Everything beautiful is in Christ.” – Elder Porphyrios
Thank you Aritha for reading! I never knew fireflies were not in the Netherlands! I hope you do get to see them one day! I am so blessed by the quote you shared. Oh to live from that place! I am going to record that in my Bible. Thank you!
Shining in the darkness is a thought that has been on my heart a lot lately. Thank you so much for the encouragement this post brought. “I must take every opportunity for shining a light into the world around me.” Yes, yes, yes! May we all do so to encourage those around us and to the glory of our God!
Shining in the darkness has been on my mind too, Joanne. Each day I feel brings the darkness closer to home, and those fireflies reminded me no matter how tiny we feel in a sea of darkness we can bring the light of Hope to others! This little light of mine is going to shine!