Change: The Lesson of the Mealworm

When I was in the third grade, we were each given a styrofoam cup with some sawdusty stuff in it—in the midst of the “bedding” was a mealworm. My very own mealworm to take home, name, and take care of. I liked to watch him move and to talk to him. I’d show my parents how much he had grown and would be so proud of my admirable care of this tiny creature.

I honestly don’t remember what I named the worm—probably something worm-o-typical like Herman or cheesy like Mealy--but I do recall what happened after several days (it may have been a couple weeks) had gone by. I went to the cup to check on my precious, wiggly friend. I expected to see that he’d gotten bigger and was all prepared to comment on his size and obvious good health. But as I peered into the cup, it was with a spontaneous shriek. I nearly dropped the cup. I burst into tears. My mom came rushing my way with great concern.

I was horrified. In the cup, where my mealworm had been, was a gigantic black beetle! My mom was surprised as well and tried to comfort me. I didn’t want anything to do with this new life form. I wanted my worm back! Clearly, that wasn’t going to happen.

I left the room puzzled as to why my teacher would do this to me. Did she not like me? Looking back years later, I can surmise that perhaps the kids in my class were warned—but I missed a lot of school that year; maybe I was gone on that day. Otherwise, I might have known that mealworms are the larval form of the mealworm beetle, which I had just met. Maybe most third-graders wouldn’t become so attached to a worm in a cup. But I was an only child with a vivid imagination who really was fascinated by all of God’s creatures…until I came face to face with the beetle, that is.

I didn’t understand the lesson in it then. But now I do. Change can be difficult. And unexpected change can be the hardest. Even painful. But change will come all the same. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Sometimes it’s relational, sometimes financial, sometimes spiritual, sometimes physical.

There is one constant, though—God, who will never change. He is fully reliable, trustworthy, and consistent in all His ways. "For I the LORD do not change; …” (Malachi 3:6a). And He will use these things for His good purpose.

Clean Out Your Closet

Some of the strangest things can be found in bedroom closets—clothes you haven’t fit in since high school, boxes of photographs (maybe even framed), writings that may be worth reading again, books, electronic equipment—and then there’s the assortment of everyday clothes that you actually do wear. Why is it so hard for people to clean out their closets? I find that it’s often because one becomes “comfortable” with what’s in there—and the more comfortable one becomes, the more attached, and the more attached…well, the harder it is to let it go.

It’s the same way in our walk with God. And sometimes we even use the same rationales.

I may need it someday.

Most likely that thing you may need someday will be way out of style, out of date, out of production by the time you ever end up needing it. It’s really out of fear that we hold on to these things. The fear of what we would do if we discovered we made the wrong call and really did end up needing that item. We won’t have it to “fall back” on. And that’s what we often do in the Christian life—we have secret “fall back” plans. If following Jesus wholeheartedly isn’t really possible, I can just go back to my mediocre Christian life.  With all the stuff I don’t really need—but it feels good to have around. It’s familiar. Hesitation. Doubt. Anxiety. Fear.

I’ve had it for so long.

I understand sentimentality, but it’s healthy to periodically evaluate what is useful or adds meaning to our lives—and what doesn’t. In terms of the spirit, these would be strongholds—mindsets and patterns we’ve held so long they seem like they’re just part of who we are—which of course is what the enemy wants us to believe.  How can a stronghold of fear in someone’s life be something worth holding onto? We cloak these things with explanations like “I’m just hesitant to try new things” or “I know from experience…” Maybe your experience is your stronghold. If we base how we follow God on our experience, we will be a bunch of hopeless doubters.

I like it.

We may not have a remotely logical reason for keeping it—we just like it. But what if those things we “like” no longer fit with the direction of our lives. In terms of home décor or changing clothing styles, it’s easy to understand. But what about those things you know are not of benefit to you? Those things that have huge potential to cause you to stumble—or at least keep you focused on the wrong things? What you watch on television; the kind of music you listen to; maybe even the places you used to hang out and/or the people you choose to spend your time with. You may not be sinning by keeping some of these practices in your life, but we have to evaluate our spiritual health according to I Corinthians 10:23a – “"Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial.”

Clean It Out

I like to think of the “closet” as a metaphor for the recesses of our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” In the World English Bible the second part reads, “…for out of it is the wellspring of life.” Is what you are keeping in there serving as a wellspring of life, or is it more of an “ugly sweater”?: Jealousy, contempt, impure thoughts, self-condemnation. It’s time to move those things out! If our thoughts don’t line up with the mind of Christ, it’s time to clean out our closets. And in the case of our hearts, we need to do a little more than just put together a donation box. II Corinthians 10:5 – “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Did you catch that word that tell what we do to those things that argue with the truth of the Lord? We are to demolish them. And we do that by declaring the Word of God over those areas of our lives. We renounce/”Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9b). The beginning of that scripture says “Love must be sincere.” If we love Christ and recognize His love for us, then we have no choice but to follow Him in all our choices.

May your closet overflow with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These things are not governed by rules and regulations but by the Spirit of God dwelling richly inside you. When they are found in your closet, you will be truly stylin’. For you’ll be wearing “name brand” stuff—“…for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved" (Act 4:12b). That name is Jesus. “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:21). That word is Jesus. Don’t hang on to what is not of eternal value. Judgmentalism. Pride. Bitterness. Submit your heart and all its ways to the Lord, and He will help you clean out your closet.

Sensory Childhood Memory Associations

When the mayonnaise was all gone, we had mustard and ham on bread.

Though in truth an inconvenience, I perceived an adventure instead.

In school, I embraced modern fortune and learned to use “magical” paste.

It smelled of the wonder of childhood…and had a peculiar taste.

The zest of Orange Crush was compelling and made me feel I had transcended—

An explorer who’d made a discovery—a conquest worth being defended.

Possessing it gave me a standard—for popsicles too were supreme,

My favorites, root beer and banana, like fruits of a fantasy dream.

My father used twine for everything—keenly versed in the uses it had.

But in my mind, it stood for the strength that I idolized in my dad.

When I purchased my very first binder, it was with such deep honor and awe—

It expressed a sophisticate system—proclaimed progress I somehow foresaw.

When my mom mopped the floor, she used Pine Sol—and no other scent could compare,

Its fragrance evoking proud smiles and a feeling of Mom’s complete care.

In sixth grade for each journal entry, a scratch ‘n sniff sticker was earned—

I relished each sniff with  great pleasure—the smell of reward, I had learned.