A Time for Remembering Fireflies (Lightning Bugs)

When spring arrives, I am waiting expectantly for the first lightning bug to light up! To me, that has always signified the beginning of summer - no school, vacations, swimming in the lake, boating, etc. And who did NOT get that pint or quart jar, poke holes in the lids, and fill it with lightning bugs?!! What memories!!

I was watching these bugs from the porch the other night and realized that I really didn’t know much about them so GOD showed me! Here is a portion of what I found from this link: www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/fireflies-12-things-you-didnt-know-about-lightning-bugs

1. They are beetles, not flies

Fireflies are nocturnal members of Lampyridae, a family of insects within the beetle order Coleoptera, or winged beetles. Yes, they are officially beetles. And bonus fact: the family name, Lampyridae comes from the Greek "lampein," meaning to shine … just like a lamp.

God has given us all the capability to shine like a lamp!

2. They are alchemists, poetically speaking at least

While they don’t actually turn base metals into gold, they do create light. When a chemical called luciferin (note the same Latin root as Lucifer) inside their abdomen/tail combines with oxygen, calcium and adenosine triphosphate, a chemical reaction occurs that creates their spectacular light.

Upon accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, a “reaction” occurs that quickens the light of Christ within us, and we can demonstrate it outwardly through our behaviors and words.

3. There are fireflies in the western United States, they just lack the 'fire'

Sure, California has perfect weather, palm trees and stellar food. But alas, it doesn’t have fireflies. Actually, let us restate that: it doesn’t have fireflies that light up. Of the more than 2,000 species of fireflies, only some come equipped with the ability to glow; the ones that are able to don’t generally live in the West.

With those who do not know God, they simply cannot shine the light of Christ. The light of Christ comes from the east, and we must go to those toward the west who don’t have the light and share it with them.

4. They are light geniuses

Firefly light is incredibly efficient. The light produced by the firefly is the most efficient light ever made. Almost 100 percent of the energy in the chemical reaction is emitted as light; in comparison, an incandescent light bulb only emits 10 percent of its energy as light, the other 90 percent is lost as heat.

Isn’t it just like God to create the lightning beetle with the most efficient light ever made?? Perfection! He created it to use all of its energy to shine its light each time it blinks. Are we doing that??

5. They come in a rainbow of colors

Well maybe not the whole spectrum, but they do come in yellow, light red, green and orange. They have the following meanings in God’s language:

Yellow - Faith and Glory of God, anointing, Joy, spiritual enlightenment

Red - love of God, blood of lamb, atonement, salvation, understanding

Green - Praise, growth, prosperity, new beginning, flourishing, restoration,

Orange - Fire of God, Deliverance, passionate praise, counsel

To summarize, they are beetles; create light in their bodies; not all species are “equipped” to produce that light; the light produced is the most efficient light ever made; and they come in colors. Isn’t that what God did in creating us?

He created us as human beings to connect with the family of Lampyridae, which means to shine. We are all capable of shining if we choose to. We have to make that choice, and when we accept Jesus, then our light will be shining at 100% effectiveness for Him! No energy will be lost but all focused on Him. We will be equipped with the 4 colors which give us faith and anointing; understanding and salvation; growth and new beginnings; counsel and passionate praise.

Our God is an awesome God - Creator, sustainer, and giver of life and light!

Thanks for stopping by,

Rachel