The Spider and the Fly

“I don’t believe I have ever seen this many spider webs in my life,” John said, as we walked across the yard.

I swung my arms wildly about my head trying to eliminate the inevitability of walking into another one face first.

“They’re bad alright”, I replied. “I don’t think I have seen them this bad either.”

When I was a little girl, I hated anything that creepy crawled on four legs or more; slithered, hopped or buzzed. I loved catching lightening bugs but as soon as I had them in my hand and they began to move, I couldn’t get them in the jar fast enough! If a mosquito swarmed around my head at night after the lights were out, I pulled the covers over my head even if the weather was hot and there was no breeze. Seeing a tick climb up my leg threw me into a running fit, swiping at it until it landed away from me somewhere; anywhere.

Then there were the spiders. I didn’t care if they were just garden spiders that were supposed to eat all the bad bugs; a spider was a spider and unless it was the jumping kind, I would stomp on it, crushing it into a little greasy spot. I’m not any better as an old person. I still avoid creepy crawly things as much possible.

This morning I was looking out our kitchen window at the foggy mist and there was a big spider beginning to build a web. I was fascinated and not having anything that was pressing at the time, I stood at that kitchen window and watched Mr. Spider work his magic. I have always wondered how they seemed to just climb in thin air as they started their building project. So, after standing, transfixed, watching Mr. Spider work, I went to my computer and googled spiders. What I found was pretty fascinating. You should google spiders sometime.

According to one article I found, in a spider's abdomen is an organ which takes protein and creates liquid silk. Each spider has between one and four pairs of glands containing perforated tubes known as spinnerets. The spider pushes the liquid silk out of the spinnerets and it dries upon contact with the air. It sends a strand of sticky silk out and hopes for a breeze to catch it. When it brushes up against something solid and sticks the spider walks back and forth across the primary thread thickening the rope with more silk each time it crosses. The spider does this until the thread is strong enough to support the web's netting. The spider may use non-sticky thread for this or oils its legs with a substance from its mouth so it doesn't stick to its own web. The spider continues to spin several circular trails around the radials and then finishes the web from the outside working in. When the web is finished, the spider sort of hides in one corner and awaits its prey.

I walked back to the kitchen window to see how Mr. Spider was progressing. He had finished his labor and was very quietly poised. There was a breeze blowing Mr. Spider back and forth but he never moved. I noticed that I could only see the beautifully complex web from a certain position that allowed the sun to catch its shiny orbs. As I continued to watch, an unsuspecting bug flew into the web and stuck. Mr. Spider didn’t move. I figured he would jump on his catch and begin to devour it immediately but he didn’t. Mr. Spider seemed to enjoy watching the struggle of that helpless little bug. When the writhing of the bug stopped, Mr. Spider slowly moved in for the kill.

Years ago I read a poem in school entitled "The Spider and the Fly". Google it sometime and read it. It is so very, very fitting.

I began to think how Mr. Spider and Satan are very much alike. Satan can spin a beautiful web of temptation in unsuspecting places. Then he crawls to one corner and watches as his prey is caught in the trap of sin. Just like the bug that was caught in Mr. Spider’s web, people are caught because (1) they didn’t see the trap for what it was or (2) they thought they could dabble in sin a bit and then break free. Satan doesn’t seem to be in any hurry. I think he enjoys watching that person, who is trapped, no matter how they struggle to free themselves. Yes, they are caught in Satan’s web of deceit and destruction and Satan has conquered mankind once more. The only hope of freedom from the power of Satan’s web of sin is through the blood of Jesus Christ.

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:11-12