Caught in the web
September has arrived, reminding us that summer will soon be behind us (although it’s hard to fathom a cooler season with the continuing onslaught of 90 degree plus days we’re having). Signs of summer’s waning are everywhere–grass browned and brittle from prolonged heat and drought, flowers drooping their dried blooms, a sad reminder of their once glorious display, and some trees shedding their leaves even in advance of Fall.
And…there are those pesky spiders that become super-charged in building webs everywhere. Although spiders build webs all the time (seasons and weather permitting), they become super-webbers this time of year. Why do spiders go on a building spree now? That’s a question for a nature expert. I just want to whine about running into numerous webs when feeding horses, weeding and watering flowers, or taking a nature walk. These webs are so thin and delicate, I don’t see them, but they stick to me like glue. Of course, then I’m swiping arms, shoulders, head, and everywhere to be sure the spider hasn’t off-loaded onto me in the process of my unintentional destruction of its web.
A spider’s web has several uses, one of which is to catch their prey–flies and insects. I admit to normally labeling a spider’s web with negative connotations, such as:
- Webs are sticky and irritating when they “capture” a human. And may be populated by a spider–Eeek!
- I associate spiders with other creepy things (like tarantulas) that I really don’t want to be around.
- There are all those sayings about being “caught in a web of sin or deceit” which gives webs a bad rap.
But, what if…
What if I changed the way I view spider webs? And what if every time I see a spider’s web, I think about being “caught” by Jesus?
Being caught could also refer to being rescued…
- A child is dropped from a burning building and caught by rescuers.
- Rushing waters carry away a frightened mother and baby, but they are caught further downstream by a human chain of rescuers who wade into the water and pull them to shore.
- The rock climber loses his grip and falls, but is caught by his safety harness.
Metaphorically, Jesus reached out His hand and “caught” me as I slipped further and further into a pit of sin. Perhaps He caught you, too?
But sometimes when we are caught by Jesus, we feel like that fly struggling in the spider’s web. It isn’t always an easy path to follow Jesus. Often it’s HARD! For example, when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, loving Him with “all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind” (Matthew 22:36-38) there are expectations. Consider…
We are called to be nice to others even when they are mean to us.
“But to you who are listening, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:27-28)
We are expected to cheerfully accept putting the needs of others before ourselves.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)
We are expected to love our enemies.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:43-44)
We are expected to forgive (when we’d really rather hold a long-term grudge).
Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against anyone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:12-13)
So the fly struggling in the spider’s web may remind us of our struggle to love our neighbor, to be patient and kind in all circumstances, to forgive others, even when we don’t want to.
Of course, most likely, the spider is eventually going to eat the fly. Thankfully, that doesn’t happen to us (being eaten by a spider), but we are reminded that all of nature is part of God’s plan and we (humans) are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) in His image (Genesis 1:27).
For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans for a hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
I hope when you see a spider’s web, you are reminded of our Savior’s sacrifice for us so that He could “catch” us, save us, protect us, love us, and show us the path to eternal life.
When have you most felt our Savior’s protective love?
You had me reading every line here, Katherine, impacted by the illustration and the application! I think of rescue not as limitation and restraint, but as protection and provision.
I agree, Marilyn. God has rescued me more than once (more times than I can count) with His protection and provision. Thank you for adding your insight. Wishing you a blessed week!
What a wonderful perspective Ms. Katherine. “There’s safety in the catching.” I love that! I too view them as a nuisance; especially this time of year; and I’m still trying to figure out how they got into our steel storm shelter with it bolted door in our garage. Thank you for sharing another analogy that gives me cause to look at things God has placed in our world from a different viewpoint. God’s blessings ma’am.
Like you, my friend, I wonder how those spiders get into some of the places they find to build their webs. I can usually tolerate them unless they sneak into the house. In those cases, they have to go! As we know, there are new lessons every day from God’s creation. Thanks so much for your encouragement, sir. Hope your day is extra blessed!
Katherine, This was a nice twist to what most people don’t like, getting web-faced! I wrote about the spider web in my first book and found it oddly strange that most spiderwebs are made face high off the ground and long hiking paths.
I included that there is one web, but many different types of silks spun out by the spider. It reminded me that there is one Spirit, but many gifts given for the entire body of Christ to effectively serve Him. Thanks for your post!
Ben, I was hoping you would explain to us why this time of year spawns prolific web building. It certainly seems like spider webs are always located at face level. Is that because we always run into them so we remember where they were or is it a scientific fact that webs are most often spun at a certain height? I think I need to get your book. I love your analogy of many gifts and one Spirit. Isn’t it wonderful to see that it all comes back to our Father?
What a wonderful message from a spider’s web, Katherine! It is hard to follow Jesus in loving and forgiving others. I think when I see a spider’s web, [I’ll] be “reminded of our Savior’s sacrifice for us so that He could “catch” us, save us, protect us, love us, and show us the path to eternal life.” Thank you!
I’m so glad my Savior “caught” me, Kathy, and all of us who try our best to follow Him, even when it is hard. I guess the tenacity of the spider is a reminder to us to do our part in “catching” people and leading them to Jesus (like fishers of people). Wishing you a blessed week, my friend.
Katherine, I don’t like spiders either, but I know they are a necessary part of nature. Your perspective will help me see them differently from now on. Thanks for sharing about those little eight-legged web builders.
Yes, I cringe when I see them, but I think spiders get a bum deal sometimes. You are right, they are beneficial and are a special part of God’s creation (I just wish they would stay outside!) Thanks for stopping by, Barbara. Hope your day is blessed.
Thank you for your post, Katherine. It really ‘caught’ me when I needed it to. God bless you.
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Jan. I’m glad my message “caught” you at the right time. Wishing you a blessed week and much joy.
I laughed at the “sight” of you flapping your arms when caught in a web because I have experienced this so many times. In fact, coming back home with a small load of groceries this afternoon, I disrupted a tangle of spider webs near the table outside our front door (used to place the load until I can unlock the door). I felt the same – “Why here at my apartment? Why now? Why me? …” I love the thought of being caught by Jesus! Thanks for this perspective, Katherine.
I’m so glad you shared a similar experience, Mary. Helps me recognize that I’m not alone in finding spiders EVERYWHERE! Thank you for gifting me with a smile this morning. Wishing you a blessed day.
Katherine,
I worked with an elementary school art teacher once who brought in a spider web one day for an art lesson – she had somehow captured it on a piece of black construction paper and discussed the beautiful and intricate design. It was beautiful! I’d never seen those pesky things as anything more than a nuisance before.
Your writing helps me see them in another positive light. A visualization of being “caught” by God. How comforting a thought that is!
Thank you!
I am so impressed with your friend’s ability to capture the spider web on a piece of construction paper. What a wonderful and creative experience for her students. We are blessed to have so many amazing and dedicated teachers to nurture our children. Thank you for sharing this memory and your encouraging thoughts.
Love this! Thinking of being “caught” by Jesus is humbling. Thanks to your post, when I come across a spider web, I will think of how much God loves me!
Thank you, Dawn. I’m still having a tough time “loving” spiders, but I appreciate them as part of God’s marvelous creation. This year I’m working to remember how Jesus rescued and “caught” me whenever I see (or run into) a spider web. Wishing you a blessed day!
Katherine, your posts always make me glad I read them. What an amazing viewpoint you bring. I’ll look at spider webs differently now.
I love your encouraging spirit, Jeannie. Thank you for encouraging me and whomever you interact with. I know your students were so blessed to have you as a teacher. Wishing you a day filled with joy, my friend.
A fascinating look at a creepy creature–but one that fills us with wonder. How do a tiny spider brain and body manage to create such an intricate web? A wonderful analogy here. And a reminder not to get caught in the wrong web.
I agree, Nancy, spiders are fascinating. They produce lovely and intricate webs and they build them back, no matter how often we accidently or intentionally tear down their webs. So much to learn from God’s amazing creation. Thank you for stopping by and sharing encouragement.
I’m thankful to have been caught by Jesus! And I hope to be reminded of His rescue the next time I come across a spiderweb.
I ran through several spider webs today and managed to avoid several more by being more observant than usual. I thought of the reminder of being “caught” by Jesus which helped me not get so agitated by accidently entering the spider’s “trap.” We are so blessed to be rescued by Jesus. Thank you, LuAnn.