I received this photo in my e-mail today and was once more amazed with wonder at God's creation.This is the Atlas moth; the largest moth in the world with a wing span of almost a foot.
Its protection from small mammal and bird predators is the frightening snake heads on the tips of its wings. I think it is enough to scare me away !!
The Atlas moth of course emerges from it's cocoon in its adult form. As an adult it has no stomach and no mouth , for it has no need to eat; it lives off the fat it stored while it was in its cocoon.
During the two weeks it spends as an adult it is focused on mating and laying its eggs and then dying.
My first thought in looking at this amazing moth was that God delights in confounding the so called wise of this world. How could evolution ever figure out that to frighten away predators snakes heads on the moth's wing tips would do the trick ?
I Cor. 1:27-
"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise..."
I love it when science is baffled by the things God does with ease!!
Then I thought about this moth who is born with only one purpose -- to procreate and then die. This moth is totally equipped to fulfill its purpose.... it is protected from harm, it is unhindered by distractions, (with no mouth it is not tempted to eat) it takes no notice of the fact that its short life will be over when its self-less purpose is fulfilled.
I thought how we could learn from the example of this moth.
We too have been born to fulfill a specific purpose.
We too have a very short life to do it in - compared to eternity . I am reminded of a little verse I learned when I was a child.
Only one life- twill soon be past... only what is done for Jesus will last.
We too are protected from harm "... it shall by no means hurt them.." Mark 16:18
We will be unhindered by distractions if we "lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us..." Heb. 12:1
And truly we are equipped , prepared "for every good work!" II Tim. 2:21
And we need to remember that the things of this world will never satisfy -- our focus needs to be on the eternal "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.." Matt. 6:33
Isn't it a shame that a moth is more faithful and true to the purpose to which it is called then many who call themselves Christians?
credits - the above photo was taken by Robert Perry and will appear on front cover of the Dec.07 - Feb.08 edition of Creation Magazine
7 comments:
Can't wait to show B. this picture. And I agree with you, God is a unfathomably creative creator. We don't even know a twinkle of what He has made!
I had to look at the picture for a bit to actually see what it was. What an amazing moth.
This is just the most interesting post and I feel not only a little more educated but also a little more understanding of the amazing creator we have.
It took me a few seconds to figure out what I was looking at too. And, a one-foot wing span! I'd like to see that in person. Wow. That truly is an amazing creature! Oh how I love the endless creativity of our God!
Of course, the moth has the advantage in that it has no free will to chose, like we do . . . but it is also a good example to us, as you so aptly illustrated, to fulfill our purpose and not get sidetracked.
How true Julie. I don't stop often enough to look at all the amazing things that surround me. In devotions at school yesterday we read Psalm 131. Part of which reminds us that we need quiet time with God. We get so tied up in our busy lives that we struggle to fit in quiet time with God and being truly thankful for all the wonderful things He has created. We should start all days with God and then fit everything else in but we tend to push God aside and fit Him in where we can. You have challenged me again to put Him first.
Evolution or Big Bang! Which would be more believable here?? Seems to me that it would take a lot more faith to believe in either one over creation. How could all these insects "evolve" into all the intricate "designed" survival features?? I can't even see a contest. Then again if you don't want to believe in God I guess you'll believe anything!!
Hi Julie,
I love the new photos on your sidebar, and yes that is a very neat looking moth indeed! Wow God's creations are so intricate and out-of-this-world amazing.
sorry i haven't been around much. been working crazy. m-f:5:15-16:15 that's including my driving time, which is work too with keratokonus-anyhow, just thought I'd say hi, since i was in the neighborhood.love you
Hi Julie! I wanted to especially invite you to come to dinner tonight at my blog. I hope you are free to attend! I miss seeing you...it will be good to see you again!
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