The Gilded Silver-Face Wonder

For several years, the black and yellow garden spider has fascinated me. An interesting bit of trivia really caught my interest - the Argiope aurantia (scientific name for the orb-weaver spider common to our area) is known to control grasshoppers on rangeland. Rural residents can't help but like these arachnids! This diligent, creative female has much to teach.

             When watering the creeping phlox, I noticed an orb-weaver spider beginning the creation of a web. For a few weeks, I thought of that black and yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia) with her distinctive markings. Her qualities of diligence and creativity in her self-provision inspired me.

Our own 2021 "Gilded Silver-Face"
on her web under the air conditioner.
 This photo shows her silver face. The
male is much smaller, predominately
 brown with very little yellow color.

            The diligence of this industrious female shows in the stabilimentum in the photo below. Speculation of its purpose ranges from a strengthening agent, a tension control for the builder, or a warning for birds and bats to be aware of the entire web. Some think the stabilimentum may attract more attention thus making the rest of the web less obvious to prey.

A stabilimentum I photographed
in the pasture in the summer of
2019, 

            Our diligence in building our relationship with Jesus strengthens us. A day-to-day obedience warns our enemy, Satan, of our commitment just as the stabilimentum warns its predators to “back off.”

Our pastor, Mike Brock, preached on the words Satan doesn’t want to hear from a believer. These statements from our mouths are: 1) I forgive you (to others). 2) Wash me thoroughly from my guilt and cleanse me from my sins (to God). 3) In the Name of Jesus (in our attitude, obedience and prayer). 4) Here I am. Send me (to God). Reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit as we employ the strategies Jesus taught and modeled assures us of His victory over the evil one in our lives.

An orb-weaver working her magic on her large, embellished weaving outside the
 front room window in 2018.

           What creativity this gorgeous orb-weaver exhibits in her God-planned method of self-provision! The elaborate scaffolding is woven during the late evening following consumption of the web from the previous evening and a quick rest. This carnivore also consumes the insects trapped, stunned, and encased in the silken shroud by the orb-weaver known as “gilded silver-face.” Never does she look to others to provide for her.

The ventral (underneath side) of the
orb-weaver outside our large living
 room window in 2018. She has trapped,
stunned, and is finishing encasement
of her prey. Participating in Bible
 studies, church attendance, and going
about "doing good" as Jesus did are
needful for growing, but will never
 replace that personal Bible study and
 time with the Lord daily.

Our growth as believers relies on our self-provision much like the beautifully-patterned arachnid. Daily she prepares and provides for her nourishment. We must daily find strength and sustenance in God’s Word. Active, purposeful study is required to increase in obedience to the Lord in doing His will that He reveals in His Word. Paul admonished Timothy, his spiritual protégé, in his second letter to Timothy, chapter 2, verse 15: Study to show yourself approved by God, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

            As we view God’s creation, like the black and yellow orb-weaver spider, doing exactly what He created them to do, may we be encouraged to respond to the Holy Spirit's guidance of our implementation of Scripture in our day-to-day obedient walk. This ensures we are being and doing what He restored us to do, just as the diligent, creative arachnid.