Someone traveling before me
Tis the season for spiders! You may have heard my lament about these creatures before. At chore time, during the months of August, September, and October, I constantly run into spider webs. I need someone traveling before me to clean out these sticky webs that capture me in their grasp and sometimes release their owner (the spider) onto my head.
Spiders are tenacious.
I destroy their webs at morning and evening feedings by plowing through them. Often there’s no warning because the webs are so thin, I usually don’t see them until I’m covered in sticky, clinging strands. And of course, at 5:30 a.m., it’s DARK as I trudge out for chores. But these determined critters build their webs back–every time.
There must be another way . . .
After the Israelites escaped from Egypt, the Lord God led them through the desert with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. (Exodus 13:22)
There is another way . . .
I carry a stick before me–by day and in the early morning dark. The stick clears the pathway of webs, making my journey free from sticky webs and angry spiders.
We are not alone on our journey. God is with us.
God did not leave His children alone in the desert. He went before them, guiding their path–protecting them from the enemy.
God doesn’t leave us alone either. He’s always ready to walk before us–whether it be in every aspect of our ordinary daily lives or during those special challenges when we experience stress, anxiety, and sorrow.
But to show our trust in our Father, we must . . .
- Allow God into our lives.
- Place our trust in Him.
- Acknowledge the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
- Call on our Lord in our daily decisions and in the BIG ones.
Our Lord is always just a prayer away.
One more thing about the spider web
If we depend on ourselves to make our own way in the world, we place our trust in ourselves rather than in God. Without God as a consistent presence in our lives, our faith can weaken and waver. Just like a spider’s web is easily broken and destroyed, faith without dependence on our Lord is fragile and weak.
What they trust is fragile; what they rely on is a spider’s web. They lean on the web, but it gives way; they cling to it, but it does not hold. (Job 8:14-15)
What strategies help you on your journey when your faith wavers in the trials? When times get tough, how do you keep your faith strong?
Thanks for sharing the verse on the spider’s web. Another example of how the Word meets us in simple everyday illustrations. To answer your question- I try to keep my focus on God’s faithfulness. Even when things don’t turn out as I hope or want, He is my stability and never leaves- ready to supply wisdom, grace, and courage that is not mine, but His, to get me through.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights, Marilyn. I’m grateful for your reminder of our Father’s stability and trustworthiness. We can depend on Him to guide us through those hard times. Blessings!
I love this blog, Katherine. What a great visual to illustrate the need to trust God and rely on Him. Even though I know I’ve read the verse in Job before, I didn’t remember it. I’ll be reminded of these great truths every time I sweep away the spider webs under the eaves of my house. 😊 Blessings, Katherine!
I didn’t remember that particular verse either, Kim, until I felt prompted to write this message. Isn’t it amazing how God sends the words we need to share His message with others? Those spiders keep building those webs no matter how often we sweep them away! A reminder that we should be as tenacious in our commitment to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and encouragement.
A unique and relatable post with a perfect verse, Katherine. Thank you.
Thank you, Diana. I’m grateful for your kindness and encouragement. Peace and blessings.
Katherine, I’ve seen lots of spider webs recently and hadn’t seen a spiritual analogy! This is an interesting and creative read. Your verse from Job is a perfect word to support your point. It is necessary for me to place my faith in and pray to Jesus when life is sticky. Within my own strength I’m as fragile as the spiders web easily torn down. Thanks for sharing.
Lisa, I often feel as fragile as a spider web myself. I’m so thankful that our Father is only a prayer away. When our faith falters, we turn to Him in prayer, read from His word, and praise Him in worship and song. He is dependable, even when we are not.
How wonderful it is to know that my faithful God goes before me each day. To know that nothing happens to me that He has not first known and allowed. This knowledge makes it easier to bear whatever surprise befells me. So much to love about this post Ms. Katherine. Thank you for such a blessed reminder of God’s faithfulness ma’am.
We are so blessed, my friend, to have a loving Father on whom we can always depend. And to know that He goes before us is so reassuring. Great is His faithfulness! May God bless you and hold you safely in the shelter of His mighty presence.
I hate walking through a web too. But I do enjoy looking at the intricacies of them–when I see them in time.
Great message here, Katherine. God bless!
I watched a spider complete some repairs on its web yesterday. Their workmanship and work ethic is quite amazing. We learn so many lessons from nature about the greatness of our God. May God bless you.
Spiders are not my friend either, Katherine. I know they have a place in nature, but not in my face! Your analogy gives great insight into the fragility of our faith if not anchored in the Lord instead of self. I’m thankful He continues to lead me no matter what.
I tell visiting spiders if they stay in their territory (and out of mine), I will let them live. Barbara, like you, I’m so thankful our Father is always ready to lead us along the pathway we should take. I’m especially grateful for second chances.
God’s presence in my life is easily seen in hindsight, so I recall those times when He was obviously at work during challenging times— refining and shaping me. Doing this both strengthens my faith and grows my trust in Him.
Beautiful photo and post!
Candyce, I’m thankful for memories that remind us of the wonder, majesty, and faithfulness of our God. As you remind us, when we look back, we see His amazing attributes: trustworthy, faithful, merciful, loving, and filled with grace. We are so blessed.
Katherine, I enjoyed this clever intro to your excellent post on trusting God when we face life’s trials. Sometimes they’re as sticky and hard to endure as spider webs. The quicker I turn to God in prayer for His help, the more He reminds me of the truths of Scripture and leads me to find comfort and wisdom in His Word.
Thank you for sharing your insights, Jeannie. I often wonder why we are so anxious to avoid close communion with God. Whether it be we are fearful, unworthy, worried, exhausted, or depressed, if we are slow in calling out to God for help, the pain and struggle is prolonged.
Oh Katherine. Spiders are the worst. Worst. So, turning my mind from worst, to reminders of Jesus walking before me, is a wonderful thought. Thanks. I will try to remember this as I go shuddering through the webs across my path!
I agree, Sylvia. I’d rather have a snake–at least they are big enough to see. But as you point out, if Jesus walks before us, we are protected. We are blessed by His grace, mercy, and love. Joy and peace!
I am NO fan of spiders but we do learn much from their ways. Just as in all of creation, the Lord uses them as excellent spiritual “teachers”. Like your wise use of the stick, I’ll keep that in mind as I consider how God takes steps ahead of me to break up the virtual webs in sometimes dark, unknown forests.
You are right, Mary, virtual webs abound. We are so blessed that our Lord goes before us and is prepared for all the anxieties and trial we have. Wishing you a wonderful week.
I do appreciate the spider, ridding me of moths and flies. I do appreciate the beauty and proof of industry in the web. I do not appreciate ever so much being swathed in spider and web at the chicken coop door!
And like the beloved Charlotte to Wilbur, God has skillfully wrought a lesson through your web of lovely words. Thank you, dear writer, for your faithful obedience.
Kristy, thank you for you kind words and encouraging response. I know what you mean about the swath of webs at the chicken coop–the pathway to my horse stalls is full of webs each morning. Thank you for pointing out the attributes of the spider–I sometimes forget. Wishing you joy and blessings.
Katherine, the spiders are busy in our yard and porch too. Even inside! I don’t remember that verse in Job. Now I have a new connection to the Scriptures when I run into a spider web.
Spiders are a wonderful example of hard work and tenacity. All God’s creatures are part of His amazing creation and have a special role to fulfill. May God continue to bless you, Debbie, and your ministry of service. I’m looking forward to getting into your book soon!
I’m sitting on our deck right now, and attached to the rail at my left is a large spider web. You’re right, Katherine, every fall the spiders appear to do their silk-work! And they are tenacious–you’re right about that too! / As for what helps to keep my faith strong? Scripture. Sometimes I seek out a passage that offers encouragement for my situation; sometimes God brings one to my attention. I am SO thankful for the treasure of his Word!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Nancy. Like you, I’m so thankful for God’s Word that gives us hope and reassurance in His great love for us. I hope we continue to have some beautiful fall weather to watch those busy spiders at work.
You made me shutter as you described walking through the spiderwebs, yuk. But I love your solution and how it relates to our faith. I always want God to go before to clear the paths. Thanks Katherine
Thank you, Yvonne. I forgot my stick one day this week and got covered in a web. Ick! We are so blessed that our loving Father goes before us, beside us, and behind us on our life journey. Joy and blessings!
I hate the spiders too, Katherine. Nevertheless, I appreciate the lessons you drew from your experiences with them. Thank you!
Thank you for your kind encouragement, Annie. Glad to know someone else avoids spiders while still appreciating their work ethic. Hope you have a great week!
Enjoyed your post, Katherine! I’ve learned over the years to pray more, remain in the Word, and be open with others when life gets tough. That’s not the time for me to give up and push others away but to press on and lean upon others and the Lord even more.
I love your strategies for maintaining your faith, LuAnn. Thanks so much for sharing. Wishing you continued blessing in your ministry of service to our Lord.