Purpose

Triodopsis tridentata - Northern Threetooth Air-breathing Land Snail

No, this snail does not have three teeth. The name represents the particular shape of the shell having three denticles or “teeth” of calcium at the opening.

Triodopsis tridentata is the most widespread threetooth of the East, ranging from the southern Appalachian Mountains, west to Michigan and southern Canada, and east into Vermont.

Land snails serve an important role in the ecosystem. They eat very low on the food web, as most land snails will consume rotting vegetation like moist leaf litter, and also fungi and sometimes eat soil directly. The land snail relies on a diet rich in calcium and other nutrients to support the growth and repair of its shell as well as its overall health.

Snails then in turn are consumed by a variety of predators that rely on snails for their calcium and other dietary needs. A great diversity of animal life feeds upon land snails, from insects to lizards and snakes, salamanders, birds and mammals. Some species of fireflies consume snails exclusively during their larval stage.

God has a purpose and plan for each "critter" in His creation. He has a purpose for you too.

Darlene Zschech, of Hillsong, once said, "The two greatest days of your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why."

Here are a few reasons found in the Bible that explain why:

1 Timothy 2:4 - To know God's truth and be saved.

Luke 9:23 - To be a disciple or follower of Jesus.

Hebrews 13:21 - To please God by doing His will.

1 Peter 2:15 - To do good things for others.

Matthew 28:19-20 - Tell others about Jesus and help them grow in their faith.

God is not an unkind slave master or impersonal universal force but rather a loving Heavenly Father. He desires a relationship with you and all people on this planet. Others cannot know how awesome He is unless we tell them.

To know Him and to make Him known is our purpose. Just don't be as slow as a snail about doing it!