Some call it a Ladybird, others call it a Ladybug. Here are three lessons we can learn from this cute little red, orange, or yellow insect.
1. Warning
To warn off predators, Ladybugs secrete a bad smell. This smell tells the predator that the Ladybug does not taste good and helps keep the Ladybug safe. As Christians, we are to warn others about their rejection of Jesus Christ. We are to preach the Gospel to all nations and tell them of the One who died on a cross for their sins and rose on the third day to defeat and conquer the grave and death. Are we warning others of the future that awaits them, the eternal place they will be or are we following the unsaved and not being a true example of Jesus Christ?
Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I (Paul) did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. - Acts 20:31
Him (Jesus Christ) we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, - Colossians 1:28a
2. Protect
Most Ladybugs protect plants by eating other small insects. They lay several eggs and continue the cycle in each generation. As believers, we are to protect the Church and be witnesses to all those around us and to the unsaved. We are to teach our children of God's Word and raise them up in wisdom and understanding of the truth. It is not enough to tell children and others about God, we also have to be an example to them by our actions and deeds.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6 *this is not a promise from God. Solomon gave wise instructions. This is one of the wise instructions for parents and those caring for children. Raise them correctly with discipline, love, and God's Word and they will have the truth in their hearts but each person makes their own choice of whether to accept Christ or not.
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. - Deuteronomy 6:4-7
3. Mortality
Ladybugs do not live long, they live 2-3 years on average. Even though some humans can live into their 100s, the average age is 79. When you think about this world being around 6,000 years old, 79 seems very minute. However, the story does not end when someone dies, the soul lives on forever. Whether that is in heaven with Jesus Christ our Savior, or in hell because you rejected God's free gift of love and salvation. We all will live in one or the other for all eternity. Time on this earth is limited and short, are you prepared for eternity?
For it pleased the Father that in Him (Jesus Christ) all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. - Colossians 1:19-23
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. - 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24
“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. - Matthew 18:10-14
There is so much to learn in all of God's creation, we just do not stop long enough to really appreciate it. I love hearing about insects and animals, and how God made each one.
I'll never look at a ladybug the same way again!! Loved it!!