A Light Theory

AUG 1 - AUG 7 2010 — A LIGHT THEORY — ISSUE 165

WARNING! This issue contains learning. Hide the children.

Have you ever noticed the hordes of bugs around lights at night? (For those that have lived near the water and seen May Flies, you've seen a frenzy of bugs swarming to the lights in numbers greater than people showing up to Denny's for a free Grand Slam breakfast. Which group is more civil is still to be determined.) Undoubtedly, we've all noticed this phenomena. Surprisingly, though, there isn't an exact reason for why bugs do this.

One theory involves phototaxis, or basically an attraction to light. They believe some nocturnal insects will use light (the moon ideally) for navigation. If they use the distant moon as a guide, their wings can beat at the same speed to keep them on track and straight because the light reaches their eyes evenly. But artificial lights throw off their perception, making the light seem stronger in one eye which causes them to have one wing beat faster to "straighten" their alignment. Obviously that doesn't work very well if they're too close to the light, so they either fly in circles constantly trying to straighten out, or they finally get straight and smack into the light.

Other theories involve their poor eyesight (the longer the antenna the worse their vision), and so they stay near the light so they can see prey better and hopefully survive longer. Another is that bugs are attracted to the darkness, and the area around the light seems the darkest, but when they get close they get disoriented by the light.

Some of you are fascinated with this news, others have fallen asleep, some are thinking about their own theory — "They're bugs, who cares?" — and the rest are trying to figure out where I'm going with this. I wonder, though, is the fact that I'm dragging it out bugging you? (Yes, that pun was intentional. I'm leaving for a week and I figure you'll have forgotten it by the time I return). Anyways, here's the point:

Regardless of the reason, it's pretty obvious light attracts visitors in darkness.

MATTHEW 5:14-16 NIV

Last week we reflected on whether Christ's teachings were so prevalent in our life that others came to us seeking to know more about God. And if our light is bright enough, we will have guests. Perhaps just as important as being a light, though, is another question: Are you equipped to help them? Are you prepared with scripture and Godly wisdom, or will you have to rely on vague generalities and Christian "concepts"? Having people take notice of your faith is great, but if you can't help them once they approach, you've forgotten the last part of the great commission, "teach them His commands." Like a bug seeking to use the light — you— as a guide, they suddenly become disoriented once they get too close, and it results in chaotic and pointless fluttering, injury, or death.

Let's be obvious examples to those around us, let's be lights in this dark world. But let us not forget to be properly equipped when our light brings guests.

Brett "I bet at least one of you will share those theories with others the next time you're out at night and see some bugs" Hibbler