by Carel Chan
Grasshoppers are rather common in the front and back lawn of most houses, where grass and plants flourish. Occasionally, I would spot a grasshopper or two especially in Fall through Summer, where these creatures start to metamorphosise.
Examining the grasshoppers, you will notice they have the same appearance as locusts. Apparently, locusts are grasshoppers that develop gregarious characteristics where they form swarms under certain conditions and move in bands. Otherwise, grasshoppers and locusts are usually solitary.
Reading Proverbs 30:27 reminds me of these insects that often do not arouse our interest. I really love the Bible and how God always uses His creation to teach us very valuable lessons on truth and the way of living.
Proverbs 30:27, “Locusts – they have no king, but they march in formation.”
By itself, locusts can do no harm. However, when the environmental conditions become conducive, the locusts start to change their behaviour and habitats. They start to breed abundantly and become attracted to one other, forming bands and groups, migrating through vegetations, leaving behind a trail of extensive damage to crops.
The interesting behaviour amongst these locusts is that there isn’t a leader, but they are attracted to one other and in unity they move in cooperation and Oneness devouring the life of crops. This leads me to envision the Church of God moving in Oneness and Unity for One common goal, to reach the lost, to bring the message of Life and Salvation to the world. What sort of “disruption” will the Church bring to the world when we focus on the Great Commission, setting aside our differences and moving in tandem? I realise that there’s much to endeavour for the Kingdom of God.
Do we always find agreement with how things get done in Church? Not always. But the desire to see the Gospel of the Kingdom preached throughout the whole world should always be the pivot for how we resolve our differences so we can march forward. Order and cooperation in Oneness empower the Church to reach heights for the Kingdom of God. Yet many of us are distracted by the worries of life and the preservation of our dignity, self- esteem and pride, that we lose sight of God’s Commission. It is either “my way”, or “no way”.
Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” What does live righteously mean? It means, “His way of doing and being right”. It is about living out the attitude and character of God. It is neither “my way” nor “your way” that determines how we work with one another, it should be God’s way of doing things and being right. Only when we advance in Oneness will the power of God move mightily in our midst.
The next time a grasshopper hops into your path, I pray that you will remember Proverbs 30:27. It is through the Power of Oneness that we can advance God’s Kingdom. Let’s abandon our petty differences and focus on what matters most. Live to the fullest who God has called you and me to be. Together, in Oneness, as a Church we can cause “disruption” to the world that is in need of such spiritual disruption. By itself, a locust can cause no disruption. By myself, I can only do this much, but when we as a Church stand together, in unity, in Oneness, we can throw the world, right-side up for Christ. I pray that we will always keep Philippians 1:27 close to our heart as we serve the Lord and His Church –
“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good news about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with ONE purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.”
Visit our Sermon Series on “A Better Way”, for more inspirational messages on focusing on what matters most.