By Cindy Walker Burton

Summer has arrived! For this nature lover, summertime at dusk evokes images of fire: fiery sunsets, fireworks, campfires, and fireflies. I’ve often seen our bioluminescent friends (fireflies) on my evening walks. Their mesmerizing glow has captured my attention since I was a child.

I fondly recall summers during the 1960’s when I was growing up. We’d capture lightning bugs and put them in a mason jar (lightning in a jar!) to marvel at them close up before releasing them. Or we’d place them gingerly on a finger pretending to wear a glow in the dark ring.

Are you ready for some fun fascinating firefly facts? Fireflies (or lightning bugs) are actually beetles, not flies. A group of fireflies is called a sparkle. There are 270 species in North America, and they’re found on every continent except Antarctica. Firefly eggs actually glow, hence the nickname glow worm. They live one to two years in the larval stage and two weeks to two months as adults. Why do these luminous creatures flash? I’ll shed some light on that.

Fireflies flash to attract mates, to communicate, and to deter predators. By the way, fireflies are the most efficient lights in the world: 100% of their energy is emitted as light. In comparison, an incandescent light bulb emits 10% of its energy as light and the rest as heat.

Fireflies know how to shine to full capacity. Do you know how to shine to full capacity? Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) Do you shine to illuminate yourself or do you shine to illuminate others? Do you glow as you go? Or are you a no glow? Here’s what I know about glow.

Your glow can show by shining your light on others. Lend a hand, lend an ear, lend your voice, lend your time, lend your talent, lend your heart, lend your light. Get going and get glowing!

Fireflies glow because that’s how God created them. You were made to glow because that’s how God created YOU. Don’t go with the flow. Go with the glow.