Pests
Just like many homeowners, I have a contract with a “pest control service.” Once a quarter they come to my home, inspect it for pests (read bugs), and spray around the outside of the house. If we have a problem inside the house I simply let them know, and they will treat the interior as well. In addition, they inspect annually for termites to be sure that my house will not be damaged.
Have you ever wondered why God created bugs? I don’t mean bees. We need those to pollinate our plants. But what about ants and cockroaches? I mean, is it disrespectful to ask if there will be cockroaches in heaven? I mean, they seem to thrive every other place in the world…
Of course, I believe that God had good reasons for everything that He created. But we certainly consider some of those things to be pests. The sand gnats that buzz around your face when you are in your garden or at a picnic. The fire ants that seem to wait until some of them have reached your knee before the command to bite is given to all ten thousand that are on your leg.
What other pests exist in your life? Could it be a family member? A co-worker? That dreaded telemarketer?
Indeed, we have to deal with pests from time to time. Can I offer a couple of words of advice? The first one may seem funny, but it really isn’t meant to be. Try hard not to be the one whom others consider to be the pest. It is remarkable that most pests don’t think of themselves in that manner. But we all can be “pesty” from time-to-time. Don’t be that person!
Second, try to be more patient and kinder to the pests in your life. I’m not talking about roaches here. Go ahead and set that trap. But to the people in your life who get on your nerves? Try to show more grace. You don’t know what is happening in his/her life. Jesus told us to love our enemies. That’s one of the hardest commands He ever gave. But you never know what impact you might have in another’s life if you actually do that.
“Love one another.” It sounds simple. But it’s not. Still, it is our calling. “Love one another.”
