I once heard a “preacher story” that is a modern-day parable:
There once was a spider that built a beautiful symmetric web in an old house. The spider kept the web clean and shiny so that critters would stop and get tangled in it. As soon as a fly or bug tangled itself in the web, the spider was quick to clean up so that another bug wouldn’t get suspicious and fly away.
One day, there was a very intelligent fly that buzzed the web. The spider called out, “Come and rest for a spell.” The fly replied, “I don’t think so because I don’t see any other flies doing it, I’m not going to be the only one.” However, the fly looked on the ground and saw many of his fellow flies dancing on a piece of brown paper. “How wonderful!” the fly thought. How could that be dangerous if so many flies were having a good time?
As the fly darted to the brown paper, a bee zoomed by yelling, “Don’t land there, don’t land there, that is flypaper! The intelligent fly screamed, “Don’t be stupid, they are all dancing. Everyone is doing it.” As one can imagine, the fly landed on the paper and died instantly.
Here is the lesson:
Many of us want to be with the crowd so desperately that we will end up making a mess of things. What good is it to escape a web only to land in glue?
This Week’s Readings:
- Monday – John 6
- Tuesday – John 7
- Wednesday – John 8
- Thursday – John 9
- Friday – John 10
- Our ministers, staff, and church family.
- The eradication of Covid – 19.
- Families in crisis.
- Loved ones battling illness.
- Those seeking to find their way.
- The United Methodist Church.
- Our leaders, our country, and our world.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6