The Bible really doesn’t have anything nice to say about worms. Now, there are countless types of worms which God created, but I’m talking about the beautiful and beneficial earthworm. We are dry once again, but on the mornings we were having fairly regular little rains, I would go on walkabout around the farm for worm rescue duty. What is that? Well, rains will make earthworms surface because their holes fill up with water. Many of those dislocated creatures will go on walkabout themselves, and get stuck out in the middle of the many drive paths all over this place. When the sun gets warm and they can’t burrow because of the hard surface, they die. I try not to let that happen.
Ezekiel 17:5 Then he took of the seed of the land and planted it in fertile soil…
Earthworms break down dead and decaying plant materials into rich and earthy humus soil and that supports the growth of plants. The channels they dig and the holes they make aerate the soil and improve drainage. Earthworms get their nutrition from the fungi and bacteria which grow on dead and decomposing organic matter. As a gardener, they are one of God’s creations which is especially lovely to me. So, where do the rescuees go? Into the greenhouse and into my worm bin!
Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
I selected a scripture about the ant because I think the earthworm also deserves to be considered as industrious and beneficial. The Bible talks about worms in not-so-nice terms. Even the worms which break down dead animals are beneficial in their own right. We should consider thinking in terms of breaking down and building up which is so keenly illustrated by the earthworm. There are times when in the process of breaking down, whether it’s emotionally or physically or even spiritually, that we should immediately begin another process of building ourselves up stronger. The support system is prayer and being in God’s Word. And believe me, I’m not the best example of how that works, but it does! And when I feed and look upon those amazing creatures in their worm bin, I smile and remind myself to get to work building up my faith—a never-ending process.