The Thought for the Day is from John 17 v 16.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of it
The water spider is an amazing little creature. Called the frogman of the spider world, it lives in rivers and streams. How does this fascinating species survive in its watery environment? It spins a tough basket-like web of silk, a kind of diving bell, and anchors it under water to plants or other objects. Then it captures a surface air bubble, which it pulls down and ejects into its underwater house, filling it with air. This combination of web building and bubble trapping allows the water spider to live in an environment that would destroy it.
As Christians, we too live in an environment that could destroy us. The world’s values, attitudes and practices threaten to drown us unless we are able to protect ourselves from them. How are we to survive spiritually in this hostile, worldly environment? We must build a “bubble” of protection around ourselves by studying the Scriptures, praying, fellowship with believers, communing with the Holy Spirit, trusting God and obeying His Word.
On a nature programme which I was watching, the camera filmed one of these little spiders building its house. It was truly amazing, as was the camera work and the patience required to build and film.
During the pandemic, the word bubble came to mean so much more than just a means to keep a child happy or soapy bubbles in a bath. It became the word for a safe place for families to meet up after being in lockdown.
We have a loving Father who is always there to give us a safe place, a spiritual hug and to guide our thoughts and deeds in this world.
Give thanks that we can be in this world without the world being in us because we have a “Godly bubble” to protect us.