THE MYSTERY OF THE BUTTERFLY

II Corinthians 5: 17 “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things have been made new.”

Have you ever noticed how excited people get when they see the first butterflies that signify Spring? There is just something spectacular about the beauty of the butterfly that gives forth a since of joy to those who behold its fluttering beauty.

When we come upon a butterfly that is perched upon a stem or a leaf with its wings folded up, we are very careful and somewhat apprehensive. There is almost an overwhelming feeling that arises in hope that the butterfly who is perched so quietly is not to be found dead. When we get closer and see the wings begin to pulsate we tense with anticipation. When the wings finally unfold to catch the suns rays we are simply awe stricken at the Lord’s handiwork. Then the butterfly merrily flutters away giving forth great joy to everyone of all ages.

Romans 3: 23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

But – butterflies don’t start out as butterflies. And, as we contemplate the cycle of the butterfly we are reminded that we too do not start off as creatures of beauty.

Every butterfly starts off as a caterpillar. Caterpillars spend most of their life from birth ‘taking.’ All they do is eat, eat, eat, take, take, take until one day the caterpillar is finally tired of living that way and comes to a place in its life where it desires to be changed.

John 3: 3 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”

The caterpillar struggles to close itself off from the outside world, and shuts itself off from outside distractions and intruders. It is difficult for the caterpillar to shut itself off from the outside world, but it struggles with great fervency and persistence. Once the cocoon is completed, the caterpillar can rest and be still.

Psalm 46: 10 “Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

II Corinthians 6: 17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”

It is in that moment of stillness and rest, having shut itself off from the world that the hand of God can move upon its life and transform it into a creature of magnificent beauty.

Romans 12: 2 “And be not conformed to this world: but, be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

So it is with our life. When we realize the need to shut ourselves off from the outside world and desire to be still in the presence of the Lord, that is when the hand of God (Jesus Christ) can move upon our lives and transform us into a creature of magnificent beauty.

I Peter 2: 9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness and translated you into the kingdom of His marvelous light.”

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