During this past fall, we were witness to one of nature’s acts which spoke to us of spiritual principles. One morning, we went out of the house to find an intricate and beautifully woven spider’s web directly in our path. It was so exact in its details we stood and marveled how it was constructed without the aid of blueprint or human genius. We then proceeded to knock it down, only to find the next day that it was re-constructed This cycle was repeated for days, except each time that the web was re-constructed, it was a little less exact. The spider did not seem to be so eager to restore the beautiful structure to its former self.
We were reminded of the human spirit and our dealings with our brethren. Each time we tear down or criticize the efforts of an individual who, through valiant, exhaustive efforts, attempts to serve his Lord, are we weakening the person’s spirit? Is he always able to rebound to his former, dedicated self with the same resilience? Do we judge the motives of the individual because his “web” does not measure up? In pursuit of “spiritual excellence” we can sometimes tear down a web that is beautiful to God.
One spider’s web is unique and is not identical to that of another spider. Similarly, each human spirit is unique and the talents of individual servants contribute their own special benefit to an ecclesia. A spider is “little” by our standards, yet God commends it as being exceeding “wise” (Prov. 30:24-28). The actions of another may be considered of small value to us, but God may see things differently.
Recently, Bro. Bob Lloyd wrote a Minute Meditation titled, PBPWMGINFWMY (Please Be Patient With Me, God Is Not Finished With Me Yet). If only we could remember this when we try to measure the spiritual lives of others. “Therefore, be patient, brethren until the coming of the Lord.. .Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold the Judge is standing at the door!”
Thanks be to God who is our judge through the Lord Jesus Christ and not man, for man forgets mercy and forgiveness — attributes which are continually used to define the character of God. David expresses this same relief “They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood. But the Lord is my defense, and my God is the rock of my refuge.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One