May Fly
Let us look at this very interesting creature and see what we can learn from it.
Let us look at Wikipedia; “The lifespan of an adult mayfly is very short and varies depending on the species. The primary function of the adult is reproduction; the mouthparts won’t work, and the digestive system is filled with air. The wings are membranous, with extensive venation, and are held upright like those of a butterfly. The hindwings are much smaller than the forewings, and may be vestigial or absent. The second segment of the thorax, which bears the forewings, is enlarged, holding the main flight muscles. Adults have short, flexible antennae, large compound eyes and three ocelli. In most species, the males’ eyes are large and the front legs unusually long, for use in locating and grasping females during mid-air mating. In some species, all legs aside from the males’ front legs are useless.”
Mating and egg deposition Britanica.
“In most species death ensues shortly after mating and oviposition (egg deposition). Winged existence may last only a few hours, although Hexagenia males may live long enough to engage in mating flights on two successive days, and female imagos that retain their eggs may live long enough to mate on either of two successive days. Groups of male imagoes perform a mating flight, or dance, over water as dusk approaches, flying into any breeze or air current. Individuals may fly up and forward, then float downward and repeat the performance. Females soon join the swarm, rising and falling as the dance continues. The male approaches the female from below and behind and grasps her thorax with his elongated front legs. Mating is completed on the wing, and then the male dies. After her release by the male, the female deposits her eggs and she also dies.”
The average lifespan of an adult May Fly is about 30-60 minutes. They hatch out, mate, male dies, female lays her eggs and she also dies. Some species only last a few minutes, others can last 24 hours, but night time often brings their death. Their mouth parts are non-functioning so they are unable to eat. Long life breeds can last two days. We may wonder, what a great waste of time, for a creature to last such a short period of time, so let us play with Scripture and look at us from God’s eyes. 2 Peter 3:8 “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
Now there are 24 hours in our day; so one God Hour is 42 Earth Years. 1000/24=41.7 Earth years. Take this another way, 1000 years = 365,000 God Days. Now there are 1440 minutes in our day, so one Earth Minute is 253 God Days, or I Second is 4.2 God Days. So if you are about mid forties, then you have been buzzing around like a fly in a bottle for one God Hour. If you are one of those long life span species, your two days of May Fly existence, in God’s terms are only 82 Earth Years, or two God Hours. So how many minutes do you have to your life, to spend buzzing around your wee world before your buzzing’s cease?
Why not cease wasting time buzzing about, and give your life over to Jesus Christ to make something of immense value from it. He is the only one who can make it productive and meaningful. James 4:14 “Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 1:10-11 “But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.” Matthew 6:30 “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, [shall he] not much more [clothe] you, O ye of little faith?”
Psalm 8:4 “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him?” Genesis 18:27 “And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which [am but] dust and ashes:” John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” 1 John 3:16 “Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren.” Matthew 10:30 “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Note; this text says “Numbered” and not “Counted.” You count sheep and things, highly valued things are “Numbered” and often the Number is stamped on indelibly.
How about this quote; “Every soul is as fully known to Jesus as if he were the only one for whom the Saviour died. The distress of every one touches His heart. The cry for aid reaches His ear. He came to draw all men unto Himself. He bids them, “Follow Me,” and His Spirit moves upon their hearts to draw them to come to Him. Many refuse to be drawn. Jesus knows who they are. He also knows who gladly hear His call, and are ready to come under His pastoral care. He says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” He cares for each one as if there were not another on the face of the earth.” {DA 480}
Dear Reader; Jesus cares so immensely about you, that it is as if you are the only human in existence, so let us each resolve to daily and moment by moment to commit and to re-commit our lives and everything to Jesus, to pick up our Cross and to follow him in active service, for this life is as a vapour, and so quickly dissipates, But, “Eternity” is a very long time of fun and fellowship with Jesus Christ, so are you going to join me there?
