PbyCj

I have this conversation pretty often, and honestly, I still don’t understand why it’s an issue. When it comes to insects and animals, I just don’t feel the need to kill them unnecessarily. Like… why? It’s not necessary. If it’s not harming me, if it’s not an infestation, if it’s just there—why do I need to end its life? That’s just not how I live.

I get that mosquitoes and flies are different—those are more of a nuisance and can actually carry disease. But one random spider, beetle, or wasp? I don’t feel compelled to squash it. I’d rather let it be or help it find its way back outside.

Today, for example, there was a wasp in the van. Just me and the wasp. And I was like, okay, well… guess we’re riding together for a minute. I eventually guided it out, but at no point did I feel fear or the urge to kill it. I could have, sure—but why? It wasn’t attacking me. It wasn’t even interested in me. It was just existing.

That’s usually where people start to look at me funny. They’ll say, “But what if it stings you?” or “You don’t know what those things can do!” And maybe they’ve had bad experiences with bugs before, but the fear behind those reactions feels so extreme to me. My first thought isn’t fear—it’s curiosity, or maybe even a little respect.

Because here’s the thing: when God created everything, He called it good. Every single thing. From the largest animal to the tiniest creeping thing—He saw that it was good. Yes, the world changed after the fall. Yes, things aren’t exactly as they were intended to be. But I still believe there’s value and purpose in everything He made.

One of my prayers has been that God’s original plan for my life would be manifested. And that includes seeing His original plan and purpose in creation too. I want to experience the goodness He intended—the harmony between all living things.

So when I see an insect or animal, I don’t just see a nuisance. I see something that was once declared good. Something that still carries a piece of divine purpose. I’m interested in that purpose—I’m not afraid of it.

People love to quote the scripture about God giving us dominion over every creeping thing, and yes, He did. But dominion doesn’t mean destruction. It means authority and stewardship. It means understanding what something was made for, not just proving you can crush it.

So no, I don’t feel bad anymore for not wanting to kill things. I don’t think I’m wrong. I think I’m finally starting to see creation the way God meant for us to—through the eyes of respect, not fear.

Because sometimes, letting something live says more about your dominion than killing it ever could.