Who believes that our country is in trouble?
Who thinks that the whole world is in chaos?
These are rhetorical questions so no need to answer. I believe most of us feel as though the world is in a mess. Whenever I feel this way, I try to go to a place that is orderly. A place where there is indeed order and beauty. For some it could be in their own backyards, the forest, or the river. For me it’s the beach.
This time on the gulf coast of Florida, I encountered something I hadn’t noticed before: the season of the dragonfly. This must be mating season because they were everywhere.
While I was sitting on the optic white sand gazing out at the water under an umbrella, a large dragonfly perched on the edge of the canvas stretched over me and stayed there for several minutes, maybe longer—long enough for me to study the intricacies of its makeup. Two sets of iridescent wings. A long, sleek body sporting at least six legs. After I got back to my computer, I looked up information about this incredible insect.
First, I found that dragonflies can live only beyond a couple of months and as long as six months. They fulfill their purpose, their destinies, and then they are gone.
Second, dragonflies are some of the world’s best hunters. A lion might catch their prey 2 out of 10 times. But a dragonfly catches its prey 9 out of 10 times! This is thanks to their large eyes that let them see almost 360 degrees around them.
And, dragonflies help humans by controlling populations of pest insects, especially those that threaten us most, such as mosquitoes and biting flies. A single dragonfly can eat anywhere between 30 and hundreds of mosquitoes per day.
Dragonflies are both prey and predator. And they are subjects of ancient folklore. In some cultures the dragonfly is viewed as a call to live in the moment, embrace change, and seek wisdom. In others they are considered visitations from demons.
Symbolic or not, these creature and (many others in the wild kingdom) are indications of calm and harmony and adherence to a directive, to the One in charge. Am I saying that without humans, this world would be better, in unity? No. God made humans like no other creation, like Himself but with a will, the sense for reason, and independence. I’m not sure that will ever change. We can choose to disobey the commands of the Father. We can deny His power and His purpose for mankind, but we cannot deny His preordained order. He’s in charge. Just go out and watch the un-human kingdom and you’ll see evidence of the purity of His original design. There is proof that He has His creation still in His hand. It does not lack order or beauty.
Like the African American spiritual states:
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
He’s got the whole world in his hands.
Job, the Old Testament prophet who became the example of belief in adversity and patience wrote:
But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;
or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
or let the fish in the sea inform you.
Which of all these does not know
that the hand of the Lord has done this? (Job 12:7-9)
Chaos does not reign supreme. There is a magnificent order to this world. We just need to look for it where it exists and acknowledge the One who sustains it.