Lepidopterist paparazzi, that’s me. I love to take pictures of butterflies when they have the decency to sit still for a minute or so. I think a lot of them finally settle in and let me snap their pictures because they are exhausted from flitting from flower to flower while I chase them with my camera. Like celebrities, they figure if they just let me take one photo, I will go away and leave them in peace. How little they know me! One shot is never enough!
Butterflies are one of the most amazing creatures in the world. From eggs to larva (caterpillars) to pupa (cocoon) to butterflies, these insects have the most extraordinary metamorphosis of all living things. After eating themselves sick for days on end they busily create their cocoon, a changing chamber where what is essentially an ugly worm turns into a winged marvel.
When we have received the salvation that God offers, we too, experience an amazing metamorphosis. We are made new; our hearts are made new. From sinner to saint, from slave to free, from mortal to immortal, from self-centered to God-centered, all of a sudden our full potential is activated and we are free to fly. All the old caterpillary stuff is gone, and the new has come. It may take a while for us to realize we are beautiful, our wings may need to dry out a bit so we can use them, but the change has already happened. We are completely new!
Prayer: Eternal God, thank You that when we put our faith in You that You remake us completely, that we are Your spiritual children forever. Let us take comfort in the power of our newness, and fly with confidence into the new life You have for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.