Fly Like a Butterfly, Study like a Botanist, or be like the Bee?
“Take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17)… Your attitude toward Scripture will determine your effectiveness in spiritual battle.
I remember enjoying the observations of perceptions of one who wrote of someone gazing at a beautiful garden.
First he saw a butterfly flitting from flower to flower. It spent a few seconds on the edge of each, but derived no particular benefit from any of the flowers upon which he had lighted upon.
Next he saw a botanist with large notebook and microscope in hand. As the botanist carefully observed each flower and plant, he made copious entries in his book. But after hours of meticulous study, most of what he learned was shut up in his book .. as he closed it .. and very little remained in his mind of what facts and observations he had recorded that day.
Then came a little bee. When it entered a flower, it emerged laden with pollen. The bee had left the hive that morning empty .. but would return full with pollen to the hive ..
When it comes to Bible study, some people are like butterflys, going from one favorite verse to another, one seminar to another, or one book to another. They’re very busy and expend much energy but have little to show for their efforts. They remain unchanged in any significant way because they never really delve into the Word wholeheartedly. They’re content to simply flutter around the edges.
Others, like the botanist, may study in great depth .. but never really try to figure out how to apply it to their lives. There are entire commentaries written by unbelievers of Bible stories and teachings .. yet In some cases their grasp of Scripture may be exceptional, but they know nothing of the true love for God and obedience to the biblical truths. What a tragedy!
You don’t have to be a biblical scholar to make that mistake. You need only to fail to apply what you learn to your life.
Rather, we need to strive to be like the bee, spending time in the Word in reading, studying, taking notes .. then emerging fuller than when we began. Your mind will be filled with wisdom and biblical insights. Your life will be sweeter and purer because the Word has done its work (1 Cor. 2:13).
Are you a butterfly, a botanist, or a bee? .. According to James 1:22-25, what’s the difference between someone who merely hears the Word and someone who obeys it?
The Lord has not granted the Holy Ones the power to tell of all his marvels which the Almighty Lord has solidly constructed for the universe to stand firm in his glory. He has fathomed both the abyss and the human heart and seen into their devious ways; for the Most High knows all there is to know and sees the signs of the times. He declares what is past and what will be, and reveals the trend of hidden things. Not a thought escapes him, not a single word is hidden from him. He has embellished the magnificent works of his wisdom, he is from everlasting to everlasting, nothing can be added to him, nothing taken away, he needs no one’s advice. How lovely, all his works, how dazzling to the eye! They all live and last for ever, and, whatever the circumstances, all obey. All things go in pairs, by opposites, he has not made anything imperfect: one thing complements the excellence of another. Who could ever grow tired of gazing at his glory?