I cannot think of an insect that creeps me out more than cockroaches. The big ones. They scurry across the floor and hide in places you cannot see, but you know they are there waiting to crawl out when you aren't looking.
I liken some men I've known, dated, and even loved to these creepy crawlers. Let's compare these two specimens.
Adaptable
Cockroaches adapt readily to a variety of environments. To me, this is huge. This characteristic is tricky because it can be a very good thing or it can be a very, very bad thing. Some people can relate to most anyone on any level. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:22, "When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some." But, have you ever known someone who seems to have experienced everything you have, likes everything you do? That is so unlikely. No two people on the face of this earth are exactly alike in every way. God made each of us unique so that we compliment each other, each a different part that makes up the entire body of Christ.
Environment
Cockroaches are often found in sewers and basements. They crawl through dirty areas and then walk around carrying lots of bacteria and germs. They enter our homes through pipes, drains, and cracks. Just as infectious are these who surround themselves with those of the same immoral character. They breed unrighteousness, wickedness. For goodness sake, don't sleep with bugs; they carry diseases! I pray, God, please seal every crack. Close every opening that might allow anything unlike you to creep in. We must also do our part to not open any doors that might foster an environment of infestation. Jeremiah wrote the words of our Saviour, "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. One of my Facebook friends and a dear woman of God once wrote as her Facebook status, "
Substance
Cockroaches can get quite large, but it doesn't really take a lot of force to kill them. Once they are caught, it doesn't take more than a rolled up newspaper to stop them dead in their tracks. The repulsive, seemingly intimidating predators are really just as flaky. An accurate description can be found in Psalm 1:4, "They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind."
Exposure
Cockroaches are mainly nocturnal and will run away when exposed to light. Upon exposure, these types of men will also run away. Once the game is revealed, the motives no longer concealed, eyes are opened and the light is turned on, they move on to the next, unsuspecting victim because they are all out of ploys and tactics to entrap you and keep you blinded. Light expels darkness. "You, LORD, are my lamp; the LORD turns my darkness into light." (2 Samuel 22:29)
While it can be very disheartening to find out you've been dating one of these creepy crawlers, trust that God will fumigate for you when you have difficulty doing it for yourself. He loves you and wants the very best, His very best, for you and His word promises in Malachi 3:11 that He "will prevent pests from devouring your crops."
This blog is not intended to be a man-bashing, but rather another warning to the different ways the enemy can camouflage his tactics to trip you up and actually destroy you. There are good, Godly men, men of integrity operating in the light of the Lord. I thank God for allowing me to walk through the hard experiences in order to mold me into the person He created me to be. While I could have avoided so many hurts and disappointments, I am grateful that while the enemy meant for the crisis to eat away my Spirit man, God allowed the insects to eat away the flesh. I hope their bellies are full--they did indeed eat away the flesh and the Spirit man has risen out of the carcass. What the enemy meant for harm, God turned for my good. More of Him and less of me.
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