Humanity is exhausted not because we are so far above other living creatures, but because knowing them elevates the very concept of life. ~Edward O. Wilson
I realize many of you may be a bit grossed out by the simple snail, but bear with me! I love the way God works through all things to teach and inspire us and I have most definitely been affected by this little ( thought not necessarily! :() ) creature.
The thing about snails is that they're completely equipped for their needs throughout their lives. Heck, they even have their own mobile homes! Snails are also mucus filled little gastropods - { a mollusk such as a snail or slug }
They produce different types of mucus for their different needs; such as one for mating( containing special pheromones), one for healing , a toxic terrible tasting ( as far as to other predators- snail won't be on their menu! ), one for defense and so on. A snail that gets crushed, shell and all can create a mucus filled with antioxidants
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We are similar to the snail, bear with me. We often forget that we've come into this world equipped; but so are we! We come equipped with the Holy Spirit, an actual part of our Lord God!
The snail is unlike other animals in that it moves at it's own pace. Snails move slowly, but with purpose and intention. They're not whizzing by to show off, to be admired, envied, or to follow what other animals are doing. Snails know what they need to do in their lives for their survival and they stay to that path. They don't follow and we weren't made to follow this world either.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever.
1 John 2:15-17
Snails are highly adaptable, if they're moved from or taken from their forest or wherever they're living, they simply trust their instincts to do what's necessary for survival. Snails even have the ability to help one another along:
Excerpt from The Sound Of A Snail Eating ~ Elisabeth Tova Bailey
Mr. Lonsdale informs me that he placed a pair of land-snails...one of which was weakly, into a small and ill-provided garden. After a short time the strong and healthy individual disappeared, and was traced by its track of slime ( yeah, they leave slime trails, kind of like breadcrumbs!:() ), trail over an adjoining wall-stocked garden.
Mr Lonsdale concluded that it had deserted its sickly mate; but after an absence of twenty-four hours, it returned, and apparently communicated the result of its successful exploration, for both then started along the same track and disappeared over the wall.
He's not heavy, he's my brother ~
Even snails are equipped to show the milk of kindness, to look out for one another ~ is that not the spirit of God?! They are examples of how we can be in character and Faith. The snail never doubts it just move forward with the faith of who he is.
~We have our own 'love darts' our Character and actions that can be aimed in any direction!
If you're thinking, well, we're higher beings and have more complex thoughts and lives; but snails are fully equipped with lungs, a brain and even emotions for one another. They romance their partner before mating, even shooting cupids arrows into the lucky chosen mate!
[ Isn't God Amazing?! ]
Actually, the darts are a mixture of calcium carbonate but the rest is true, they look like little arrows and they go right into their mates! They have the ability to deduce and make decisions that effect their lives and safety.
~He's not heavy. He's my brother...
We too have the ability to 'save' our lives through our acceptance of Christ and our abiding faith in Him! The Fruits of the Spirit act as our common sense, our guiding ways for living a life where we are Living instead of being dead in Christ. Those Fruits are our guideposts; like the snail, makes it possible to help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
[ Fear is leading us away from each other... ]
~We live in a society now where people are being lead to be less and less involved with one another, We don't 'see' each other ~ no smiles, or expressions rarely a common hello. The challenges living in current times may not be permanent, but if no or if so, we can still be lights in the darkness. We need each others light, it feeds our spirit.
~He's not heavy. He's my brother...
We can still salt this world with our Christ-ness. We can continue to adjust ~ like the snail; to our uncertain circumstances and allow it to make us stronger- brighter lights, see with loving eyes, lift up whenever and wherever we can.
"You are the salt of the earth. ~Matt 13
"You are the light of the world ~Matt 14
~He's not heavy. He's my brother...
Snails have the ability to seal themselves off from everything using their mucus - a special kind that hardens within their spiral shell acting as a shield or door. Right now most of us are 'sealing off' from everything. But we can do even better than that.
* We can seal ourselves off from Satan's reach and influence. [Let's face it, he's having a great BIG party these days!]
* We can seal ourselves off from the dark character driven-(ness) that's effected so many people now days.
* We can seal ourselves off from feeling completely helpless because we're never helpless when we have our mighty Lord and Savior with us at all times!
Can I get an Amen!
That doesn't mean things won't get even more scary, remember God is concerned with our character over our comfort. He's teaching us how to move through hard times ~ and it's a bit like moving through sticky mucus! ( But only snails are equipped for that! Oh and slugs too! ) It 'ain't supposed to be easy! :()
~He's not heavy. He's my brother...