I've seen my share of troubles in my many decades of riding this rock around the sun. I've survived flu pandemics, hurricanes, tornadoes, West Nile Virus, family gatherings and even Y2K, which never actually happened. I have escaped bullies too numerous to mention and survived attacks by what I thought were pet pigs. Heck, I even survived my own driving during my teen years. Now, that was a miracle, though my kids seem to pray a lot when they ride with me now. I guess there are some things that never change.
Yet, nothing prepared me for the latest catastrophe to strike my ever-changing landscape. It seemed innocent at first. Those cute little bird-like insects, flying around the house on rare occasions, never biting, stinging or landing in my coffee. But, suddenly, these creatures began showing up everywhere, flying around my abode with reckless abandon. I've swatted them, sprayed them, spoke poorly of their mothers, done everything I could think of, and still they rule the airways around me. By now, you have probably realized that I'm referring to the Great Moth Invasion of 2022. These persistent little devils should be featured in the next Godzilla movie as supporting cast members. Perhaps Godzilla could be the hero that finds a way to extinguish the constant threat these flying nuisances now present to my sanity and, more importantly, my coffee.
Scientific research done by no one reveals that this problem began in a bag of dog food which served as an incubator for these demonic hordes to be released. I have had dogs all my life but never endured the first moth intrusion. You may be familiar with the old saying that necessity is the mother of invention. There is much truth to that. Even my wife's second-degree black belt has been useless against these formidable foes. However, she is not easily defeated in such matters. Recently, she took her warfare to a new level. Out came the vacuum cleaner. We all scurried for cover as she rampaged through the house, chasing down and sucking up those critters in mid-flight. After a few weeks of this aerial assault, the moths are succumbing to my wife's creative imagination, mixed with a touch of desperation. Godzilla has nothing on my girl when she has the vacuum in her hands.
God is much like my wife, except that He is never desperate. He is incredibly creative when it comes to the things that invade our lives. You might even describe Him as relentless. Think of the story about the prodigal son described in Luke 15. The father, representing God, daily searches for his wayward son, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.
The son has prepared a speech for his father, after coming to his senses, and is finally returning home. The speech is basically a job application for a servant’s spot, should one be available. Yet, the relentless love of the father is displayed as he ignores the boy’s speech because he is too busy clothing him in some pretty good threads. The father is restoring identity and relationship with his son.
Dad knows his boy screwed up. Dad knows that he has endured much abuse that came as a result of his own choices. But, Dad is consumed with a relentless love that covers the wayward little brat and draws him home, bringing him back to the life intended for him. He now sees his father in a very different light.
All the complaints of neglect or unfairness are gone as his father throws a party, proclaiming that his son is back, alive with a new appreciation for being a part of his father’s family. The story indicates that before being restored, the young man was completely consumed with hopes for a life of unbridled pleasure. In short, he was addicted to sin as a way of life.
We are all just like that old boy, and only in realizing on a deeply personal level that we are loved and pursued by a relentless Father can we ever have our identities restored. Until then, we are at the mercy of whatever plagues come our way. Even worse, we will be resigned to accepting such assaults as what we deserve.
Maybe you aren’t having a moth invasion, but there are certain issues that attack you, diminishing your confidence and drawing you away from the safe arms of your heavenly Father. Learn the lesson of the prodigal son and run home, just as you are. Dad will work out all of the changes that are needed as He transforms you from a sin addict to a son or daughter. Change comes because of transformation, not the other way around. His love doesn’t just cover a multitude of sins, it destroys the desire for them, freeing you from the fear of future invasions. Enjoy your new threads!