A Spider’s Web of Hidden Connection: Faith in the Unseen

Sep 28 / Mary Hally
One early morning, while my young daughter and I were outside, she brought to my attention a spider’s web within the blades of grass. I immediately became aw-struck by how tiny the web was and how fragile and vulnerable it seemed within the grand lawn. As I turned to leave the art form, excitement struck me as I noticed dozens more tiny webs throughout the galaxy of grasses.

The wonder, grateful intrigue, and energy that I felt were invitations from the Divine to carry these small structures into contemplative reflection on the presence of webs.

When I observed this spider’s web, a fascination triggered my inquisitive mind to study the design of its creator. How the work of the spider was in organized formation of pattern; including lines, circles, inner-to-outward stretching, and spaces. The design was created to capture food to nourish the composer’s anatomy. Tiny, droplets of dew rested upon the silken threads while sparkling jewels reflected in return to the opposing surroundings.

Although the creator of the web could not be identified within the moment, evidence of existence and definitive abilities to create were noticed. The surrounding community included elements in diversity of colors, textures, compositions, forms, purpose, and designs. Without this surrounding community, the spider would not have the essentials for her own survival, as well as the space to live with purpose.

Humanity’s use of identifying through language frequently prompts the image of a “web of connection” to describe our interconnectedness within our world. For me, the metaphor of a hidden web triggers a discomfort in the unseen, the mystery in the in-between darkness or the concealed space filling between the visible threads.

What is within these “empty” spaces between the links of tangible comprehension?

As I held this question in prayer, a recollection of the wisdom shared through the ancient times revisited me, feeding my own hope and trust within the webbing of the Divine’s purpose-filled hidden spaces:

“It is by faith that we understand that the worlds were formed by God’s word; in other words, that the visible world was not made from visible things.” - Hebrews 11:3 NTE

Theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein shares, “A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”

For me, Einstein’s wisdom brings forth a confidence in the presence of a hidden web designed to stretch for our Creator’s intended purpose, holding nourishment for all and everything. Humanity cannot be fully confident in our abilities to know all that is encompassing within our web. Rather, we can be open to how we can choose to experience and respond as things are revealed and unfolded in time through intuition and our senses.

I wonder, in what ways do you experience the intangible, yet intuitive connections within our grand, universal web?

Mary Hally

Mary Hally is a Spiritual Director who enjoys accompanying individuals of all ages to build an inner confidence of connecting and discovering invitations from God within their days. Her own experiences of encountering the Holy in our midst inform Mary’s gift for helping others to recognize the possibility of divine presence both in beauty and in life’s challenges. To contact Mary, please email her at maryetroy@gmail.com.