FIGEATER BEETLES
Figeater beetles eating figs
Big green beetles are eating my figs! An army of them has descended on our fig tree, devouring the ripest fruit like an ungodly horde! A dozen per fig of these normally noisy iridescent green beetles are eating so quietly, one would never know they were there – unless one seeks out the ripest figs to pick and enjoy for oneself!
Usually these big bugs fly through the air blindly bumping into anything and everything – their wings sounding like playing cards on the spokes of a bicycle. Many people I know are afraid of them – or are just afraid they’ll fly into their hair and get stuck. We were at a dinner recently, when one of these shiny green behemoths flew through our outdoor dining area, sending one poor woman running from the table, flailing her arms and screaming. I usually don’t mind them at all and just duck out of their way when I hear them coming.
But how have we ended up with dozens of them eating our figs?!!
I’d always been told these were “Japanese beetles” but actually they aren’t. In fact, they are bigger and greener than their eastern cousin and their real name is “Figeater Beetle” (Cotinus mutabilis). I think I know how they got their name. I read that adults emerge from pupation from July to September, which explains why we’re seeing so many of them…and will continue to see them for quite a while.
As more beetles show up each day, it reminds me of the seemingly endless challenges our family has been encountering recently. Their number also seems to grow each day. I’m not one to wallow in self-pity or recount each and every issue that we’ve needed to address, but I can’t help but think of each one as another beetle joining into the “problem party”, eating away at the ripe fruit of our lives!
Here’s a small sample of issues we’re dealing with: a couple of people in leadership at church stepped away from their positions and we’ve had to fill in until their replacements are found; major distractions from an unexpected source surrounded our son as he studied and took the California Bar exam; three expensive car repairs on three separate occasions; two of our parents being diagnosed with life-altering health issues; one of our siblings is preparing for a kidney transplant, her kidneys having been destroyed by an autoimmune disease; another of our siblings was given custody of her great-grandchild, due to the neglect of it’s parents; caring for a very sick Daisy-kitty that had to be treated at the emergency vet, followed by two more weeks worth of tests and vet visits; (not to mention everyday responsibilities and life with Multiple Sclerosis).
Beetle after beetle after beetle…wearing down my energy and resolve to stand firm in the Lord. Beetle after beetle…sneaking bites away from time usually spent in prayer to our sovereign, all-powerful Lord. Beetle after beetle…wrestling their way into once restful sleep…sapping peace, trust and thankfulness, replacing it with “what next, Lord?” Beetle after beetle after beetle…
Each day I would pray to the Lord, mourning and anguishing over these things transpiring around us, waiting for him to intervene…but he delayed…beetle after beetle…
I remember another time God delayed in providing help. In Daniel 10: 1 – 14 we’re told Daniel (who survived the lion’s den) mourned for three weeks over a disturbing revelation he’d been given, fasting and praying as he waited on God for an explanation. When help finally came, he was told it had been delayed because a fierce battle was being waged in the spiritual world around him…for him.
So the prayer continues more earnestly…beetle after beetle…
Finally, yesterday I felt led to send an email asking a couple of people to pray about stepping into those leadership roles at church, expecting to wait a long time for their responses. So I went out to prune some roses in the front garden, far away from the fig tree, for a bit of therapy and some time with the Lord.
Large green spider captures figeater beetle
After working for a while I saw a white iceberg rose bush that needed deadheading. As I reached down to prune away some spent blooms I nearly grabbed a big green spider that had captured an equally big green figeater beetle! What a grotesquely lovely spectacle!!! I have to admit that knowing there was one less figeater in our garden brought joy to my heart.
But as I pondered this odd sight, I wondered what it might mean. Could it be that the battle being fought on our behalf in the spiritual world is nearly over and help is on its way?
The answer to my musings was quick in coming. As I stated, I expected a long wait for those email responses, but God had been at work in these two people…putting things in place…removing other things…preparing them both for these very responsibilities. Right away they shared how the Lord had been working in them. And, amazingly, at the same time I’d sent that email they had already been talking with each other about offering themselves to help fill this need! Two beetles gone!!
Now we hear that a kidney donor match has been found for our sibling – in her own daughter! Although more testing must be done, help is on the way! Another beetle gone!!
I’m convinced there is so much happening in the spiritual world that directly affects our lives, that if we could see it with our eyes we would be awestruck! Read Daniel 10 to see what I mean! As for me, I’m going to check out our fig tree. I have a feeling it’s going to be figeater beetle free!
God, I know you are working and growing my faith in all of these challenges you allow. Please, bind the enemy of our souls like the spider bound that beetle! Make him powerless and remove every bit of his influence from our lives! And please, fill all the places he has vacated with your power – the very power that raised your Son, Jesus from the dead – so we can stand firm until the “problem party” is over!