“Every great story seems to begin with a snake.” ~ Nicolas Cage
July 16 is National Snake Day, celebrated by wildlife enthusiasts throughout the world. Most people have a fear of snakes. Why are we so afraid of snakes? What do snakes represent that creates so much fear and excitment deep down inside us? The same holds true for spiders and other creepy-crawly creatures. Some of God’s creatures excite phobias inside us that none of us signed up for, but yet we have them.
“Even snakes are afraid of snakes.” ~ Steven Wright.
What fears and phobias do you struggle within this day and age?
Will you be celebrating National Snake Day today?
Jim Stafford and David Bellamy wrote a hit song in 1974 called “Spiders and Snakes” with the chorus:¹
“I don’t like spiders and snakes
And that ain’t what it takes to love me
You fool, you fool
I don’t like spiders and snakes
And that ain’t what it takes to love me
Like I wanna be loved by you.”
(I loved this song when I was a youngster)
Nicholas Cage is right; most good stories do start with a snake. One of the oldest writings known to humankind, even older than the Bible. (“Wait, What? The Bible is not the first written literature known to humans?”) “No is the correct answer, there are other writings older than the Bible, and one of them is called “The Epic of Gilgamesh.” (If you read this epic tale, you will see where the author of Genesis received much of their influence for their writings.) In this story, Gilgamesh loses the power of immortality, stolen by a snake. Serpents/Snakes/Ophidian/Sea Monsters have represented evil as far back in history as we can tell. These slimy, forked tongue, slanted eye creatures represent evil and deception in countless stories and are famous for their trickery.
We habitually call criminals or people who portray wicked behavior “snakes.”
What can we learn spiritually from snakes that will bring us closer to God?
“Just as a snake sheds its skin, we must shed our past over and over again.” ~ Gautama Buddha
Why do snakes shed their skin? Snakes shed their skin because it doesn’t fit anymore or because it’s old or worn out. When snakes grow, their skin does not, so they outgrow it. When this happens, they shed their outer layer of skin. Snakes also often shed their skin before reproduction or after giving birth.²
Wow, there is the connection and blessing we can take from snakes. To grow, we must let go of our old selves. We must shed our old nature like a snake sheds their skin. If we desire to grow, the old must go. If we are to be successful at shedding our past, it will require honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness. We will need help from God and a trusted friend/sponsor/mentor/counselor/priest or pastor/professional. Regardless of how dark, traumatic, and painful our past may be, we must shed our old skin to spiritually mature and move past the hurts, habits, and hang-ups that hold us back in life. The good news is we can do this. How? God makes it possible. He allows snakes to shed their skin and continue to grow, and He will enable us to do the same. The difference between snakes and humans is that humans get to choose (free will) if they will shed their old skin or not.
What’s your choice to be? Shed or Dead? (Let go of the past or remain spiritually dead)
God of all creatures. Thank You for Your countless creations, even the ones that humans frame as evil and no good. The circle of life would be impossible without every one of them. You created snakes to shed their skin to grow and advance in life. Would you please grant me the honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness it will take for me to shed my past so that I can grow into the person you created me to be? In Your Spirit and Name, I pray these things. May Your will not mine always materialize, now and forever. Amen.
Photo by Jan Kopřiva on Unsplash
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