The Paradox of Purpose
Mosquitoes get a bad rap.
"It’s often said that mosquitoes serve no purpose other than to annoy humans. This is easy to believe as we are swatting away these bothersome insects while trying to enjoy the outdoors, but," according to the National Wildlife Federation, "it is not true."
There are over 3,500 mosquito species and not all of them bite humans, either because they don’t live in places that people frequent or because they prefer to feed on other animals.
Only some species are considered pests. But what purpose do mosquitoes actually serve?
Believe it or not, mosquitoes are pollinators. In fact, mosquitoes’ primary food source is flower nectar. Just like bees and butterflies, mosquitoes transfer pollen from flower to flower as they feed on nectar, fertilizing plants and allowing them to form seeds and reproduce. It’s only when a female mosquito lays eggs does she seek a blood meal for the protein. Males feed only on flower nectar and never bite.
Beyond pollination, mosquitoes are part of the food web, serving as important prey in both winged adult and aquatic larval form for several other wildlife, from dragonflies and turtles to bats and birds.
So, though annoying to us humans, like all species in existence, mosquitoes do have a purpose! It's paradoxical, but purpose nonetheless.
In Acts 6:8-8:3, believers were being a real nuisance to the establishment, specifically, Stephen. He stood as a bold witness, refusing to yield to the threats to just shut up and go away. Instead, he chose to humbly continue living out his calling and purpose.The powers that be swatted at him, sprayed him, cursed him, and finally smacked him dead ...
"At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him ..." (Acts 7:57-58, NIV).
But they weren't satisfied to try to squelch one annoying mosquito ...
"On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison" (Acts 8:1-3, NIV).
But the persecution did little more than to scatter those annoying believers ...
"Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went" (Acts 8:4, NIV).
Some would try to have us think that obeying the Lord and fulfilling our purpose makes life easier. Yet, while Scripture suggests fulfilling our purpose makes life simpler, Scripture does not suggest it makes life easier.
Fulfilling our purpose tends to attract negative attention from the world, the Devil and his demons. And just as with mosquitoes, they will try to swat at us, curse us, or just downright smack us dead,
But also like the mosqitoe, as annoying as we might be to the world, we have specific roles to play. Embrace your role!
Stealing Baby Jesus
Efforts to scrub Christianity from our culture, even our history are growing exponentially in this post-Christian era. Nowhere is this more evident than in the ever widening epidemic of the vandalizing and theft of Christmas Nativity scenes, specifically the theft of Baby Jesus. Just look at these recent headlines.
- Vintage Baby Jesus, other nativity props stolen from Alexander County church
- Grinch Strikes Again, Baby Jesus is Missing – Again!
- Stolen Baby Jesus returned to local restaurant’s Nativity scene
- Surprising number of people stealing baby Jesus from nativity scene
- Baby Jesus stolen from nativity scene in Solihull
- Statue of baby Jesus stolen from Grosse Pointe Farms church's nativity display
And here’s a particularly sad one …
- "So Much Hatred': Vandals Smash Ancient Church's Nativity Scene, Decapitate Joseph Figurine in 'Barbaric' Attack
Then there’s this one which went viral just this week, as the thieves were caught on camera absconding with the the Christ child figurine …
- Man Runs Off With Baby Jesus Stolen From Sundance Square Nativity Scene
Some people are are giving up and just not putting out their annual displays. Others are looking for a solution, and even for protection. As one news station has reported:
As Christmas approaches, many people are looking for divine intervention, or in some cases insurance to prevent more trouble in Bethlehem. "There is a company that will insure your manger set. There's a company that has a special ‘baby Jesus’ rider for churches and for stores,” said Pastor James Carney of Seattle Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, whose church display has been vandalized repeatedly.
They cannot hide Him; they cannot dismiss Him; they cannot diminish Him; they cannot extinguish Him. Try as they may, they cannot rob the world of Baby Jesus.
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it" (John 1:5, NLT).
Payday is Coming
You know, as I was thinking about the promised reward found in Matthew 5:12, it made me think of the work I am currently doing as a preschool teacher. Now, most days at work are pretty OK - the people are friendly, the kids are behaving well, and it’s just a normal day.
But then there are some days when it feels really difficult. Maybe it's that I’m not getting along well with one of my co-workers, or maybe the kids are being particularly naughty that day, or maybe it’s just one of those super busy days - and I find myself getting irritated, frustrated, tired, and grumpy.
Now, do you know what always helps to lift my mood? I just think about payday. I imagine that there is a day coming when I’m going to be paid for all of my trouble. Now maybe that doesn't make the problem go away - but it does a lot in changing my attitude toward the problem.
The kind of reward that Jesus promises in Matthew 5:12 is far greater than a temporary paycheck at the end of the month. Here, Jesus is talking about a heavenly reward. In fact, Jesus calls it a great reward. It is far, far better than any good thing you and I can think or imagine. And this blessing, this reward that Jesus is talking about, is forever!
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12, NIV).