Last evening, as we were sitting in the den, we heard a buzzing sound. Upon investigation we discovered a small spider web in the windowsill with a very small spider on it. A large housefly was attached to one thin strand of the web at the very tip of one of its wings. Sure that it could somehow free itself, it was struggling furiously and creating the buzzing sound.
The tiny spider gingerly approached the fly several times and each time, as the fly renewed its frantic activity, the spider would quickly back off to wait. Eventually the fly exhausted itself and the spider methodically added more and more connecting strands between its web and the trapped fly. The fly made several tired attempts to move the trapped wing and then gave up the fight.
As we watched the drama it became more and more obvious that, without some outside assistance, the fly would never break free. Isn’t this a picture of our attachment to the world? We become attached in one small area of our life and we are confident in our ability to give it up any time we choose. Even if we become aware of the trap, we soon tire in the struggle to break free. When we fail, the worldly connections grow stronger. The only salvation is confession and dependence on the power of God. Romans 12:2 says "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Written by my wife, Dee.
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