Cursed Bees

The whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. — Romans 8:22 We might think that beekeeping should be easy: get some bees, put them in a hive, and let them do their thing, right? But a seasoned beekeeper will tell you that it’s never easy. Hive beetles, varroa mites, wax moths, and foul brood disease are some of the more common threats to bees and their hives. Pesticides, pollution, habitat loss, and other threats add to the mix. Clearly the beauty and harmony of God’s creation has been blighted. Honeybees are cursed along with the rest of creation. Bees need help and restoration.In one of the most mysterious and tragic chapters of the Bible, a crafty and deceitful enemy slithers into God’s good garden to subvert God’s desires for his creation. Human beings—meant to reflect God’s goodness—are seduced and infected. Sickness and death invade our homes and hearts.The curse saps life from our bodies and souls, unless someone will come to save us.We and the bees are still here, groaning but alive and kicking. This is proof of God’s stubborn and strong love for us and for his whole creation. Christians are being brought from death to life by being united with Christ Jesus in his death and resurrection. And we, “who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our . . . redemption. . . .”The curse is being reversed. Thanks be to God! Thank you, Jesus, for coming to reverse the curse of sin and death. May our hope in you energize us to wait patiently for our and all of creation’s redemption. Amen.