A Stinging Rebuke
Well... the bee season has officially begun! I moved three of my colonies to a new location on Sunday while it was cold and the bees remained clustered inside the hive. I did so, because I had too many hives in my apiary at home and I felt like the girls needed more space to fly and forage instead of fighting over limited resources in my neighborhood. Their new site is in the blackwater draw and it will be a wonderful place for them to live.
The day after I moved them, I went out to check and see how they were doing. With the warmer weather, I expected the bees to be flying around and orienting to their new home. Because when bees are moved to a new location, they must recalibrated their internal GPS system in order to locate their hive after roaming the country side. They do so by taking orientation flights at increasing distances to map their location and secure the GPS coordinates in their small but amazing brain.
When I arrived at the new location, I was pleased to see plenty of bee activity. Having never moved hives to a new location, I tried to be as gentle as possible, but it was definitely a bumpy ride for the bees in the back of the trailer. But it looked like they made it just fine.
As I approached the hives, there was one particular bee that seemed to request my attention. She kept following me wherever I walked. I was not suited up because I had been all around these same hives at my home and they paid me no attention. But this particular bee had something on her mind. She wanted my attention!
Apparently, as I now clearly understand, she was not happy with the relocation. It's much less protected, a little drafty from the wind, and she wasn't happy with her new neighbors. So the next thing I know, she lodged a complaint! Right above my left eye. There was no discussion, no consideration, just a stinging rebuke.
But not to worry. I'm a pastor. I'm familiar with this type of interaction. Because sometimes I receive as similar response from those who are in a hard place that I'm trying to help. I don't have all the answers, and I'm fallible in so many ways, but I want to move in close. I want be present in their pain and suffering. But hurting people, like bees, often hurt the ones who are trying to help them. Sharp words and stinging rebukes are a painful reality of the job.
No one knew this reality more than Jesus. The Bible says:
“... and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:22–24, NASB95)
By His wounds we are healed! Wounds that were inflicted by us.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, NIV84)
So today, may we not forget the pain Jesus experienced on our behalf. He endured the cross, despising the shame, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. He took the pain of our punishment, bearing the consequence of our sin, so we can flourish in our life-giving fellowship with Him.
As for me, today I will see the world dimly through just one eye. But in 48hrs, it will all be back to normal again. And you can be certain, I will be much more cautious when I make my next visit to the new apiary. Despite the stinging rebuke, I will still do my best to help my bees flourish. I will do the same as I seek to shepherd and care for my church family. All because this is what Jesus daily does for me. We always give out of the abundant overflow of what Jesus has given to us!
