Yesterday, our pastor discussed the transformation of the caterpillar into a butterfly and how we as Christians reflect that same transformation. I have, like many of you, heard that analogy before and loved the beautiful picture it stirs in me. Throughout my Sunday God just kept that picture in my mind and heart and I thought of it and the work God has done in me. I am a transformed life.
As a typical girl, I do not creepy crawling things.... I still squeal at the sight of many bugs, snakes, and other varmints. I also lump caterpillars in this group. I know caterpillars are harmless, but to be honest they are not real attractive. They seem rather large and bumbling due to their feasting on almost anything in their world in preparation for their change. I think many of us feasted on the world in which we lived in our pre-Christ transformed lives. Perhaps in an attempt of experiencing life to its fullest, seeking after happiness, longing for something more substantial, or looking for a thrill in our everyday normal monotony. The things that our world offers leaving us longing for more despite never truly feeling fulfilled- living in a constant state of taking things to the next level to get the same high feeling we relished to only experience desperate emptiness and regret later.
The caterpillar goes into a cocoon. A solitary place where only the caterpillar and God are there. I think when we reach the end of all this world has to offer and we reach the end of ourselves, we hit that solitary place- just us and God. Only we, and God, knows what happens in that place and the transformation that takes place. It is a deeply personal time- words are often lacking when we try to express what has happened. We, broken by the empty world, turn to God and let him heal and change us- we are never the same following a meeting with God. The Almighty brings out something beautiful from the deadness within and births a new purpose and plan for our life. This process takes time just as the caterpillar is locked inside his solitary home for some time to be transformed.
When, by God's infinite and perfect timing, the cocoon opens and a new creature pushes out and flies for the first time as a butterfly! When, by God's timing, we come forth finally ready for the new purpose He has for us- we fly in a new freedom. This freedom is only found in Christ - free to live despite disappointments, free to thrive despite heartaches and hurts, free to improve and bless our new world despite failures and shortcomings. Freedom- a purpose- a future with promise. How? Through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Just as the butterfly was gifted its wings while in the transforming cocoon, we are gifted the Holy Spirit through our personal transformation.
The new butterfly brings beauty to its world and serves the purpose of spreading life through pollen from flower to flower. We, too, are to bring beauty to our world through the light of Christ within us and spread life to others around us. As we live and work, others will take notice and long for the same internal transformation and our purpose and fulfillment grows.
"And so, dear Christian friends, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice- the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." Romans 12:1-2 NLT
We are meant for so much more than feasting on this world- we are meant to fly! Soaring freedom in our called purpose will always fulfill more than feasting on the world's greatest offerings because we are designed and called for a greater purpose. Embrace it, my friend, and fly!
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