Butterfly Beginnings

It was a gift, from whom I've long forgotten. A silver metal bookmark that curved over my book, with shiny colorful beads dangling, and at the end, a butterfly charm. Fingering that charm, I was reminded that butterflies begin as caterpillars. Then God whispered in His gentle way,


"You are like a caterpillar."


Caterpillars eat almost constantly. They eat and eat and eat. Anyone who has ever read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to a child knows this. They have an insatiable appetite. But we also know that if we eat the wrong things, we get sick. God's Word is meant to be our food, it is meant to bring life and growth and maturity. But when we stuff ourselves with the things of this world, we can't stomach it.


 "You are being fed and nourished by my Word, but your whole world is here on the ground. You go from leaf to leaf trying to fill yourself..."


Caterpillars are not meant to stay caterpillars. It is only a short stage in the butterfly's life cycle. As a caterpillar eats, it grows, and as it grows, its exoskeleton becomes too small. It has to shed off the old to make room for growth. Eventually, being a caterpillar is no longer enough. The caterpillar goes in search of a sheltered, safe spot to build a cacoon. Then metamorphosis begins.


"...but I want you to fly. It is time to change. It is time to allow me to tear you apart, so that I can give you wings."


The change is drastic, it is literally gut-wrenching. The pupa is encased in silk, covered with a veil, but inside everything is changing. Everything is being rearranged and rebuilt. Finally, maturity is reached. The butterfly emerges, wings wrinkled, wet and deflated. The butterfly is vulnerable. Fluid is pumped from the body into the wings. The butterfly rests and waits for its wings to dry.


"I want you to see the world as I see it. Do not allow fear to limit you. I want you to fly."


Timidly, the butterfly stretches out new wings, and attempts flight. It sets off to find its purpose.


The butterfly's main purpose is to make new butterflies. To share their beauty and grace and glory with others. To ensure that the world sees His beauty and grace and glory. Oh, that God would allow me to be a messenger of His transforming power.


Heavenly Father, transform me, renew my mind so that my security, my vision, and my beauty come from You. Tear every earthly part from the deepest recesses of my consciousness. Bring to the surface any insecurities I have buried deep in the dirt of my soul, even if it is painful. Shelter me in Your safe place, in the crook of Your limbs. Replace my fear and timidity with strong wings. Pump into me new life. Rebuild me for Your glory. I will wait and I will rest. I will allow the trials to do their work in me, so that I may be "mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:4). Give me grace in my vulnerability, and strength when I am at my weakest. And when I emerge from this cacoon, help me fly.


"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18