In this new year, I am encouraged by the butterfly. The butterfly is very different from you and I in it's physical metamorphosis; however, when you look at the development of a butterfly, it is not much different from our Spiritual metamorphosis.
A butterfly begins as a helpless egg laid on a plant, for feeding, by it's mother. Very similar to the blessing our Heavenly Father bestows when we accept Salvation, God steers us to a place for us to find The Word. Jesus tells us in Matthew 13:23: 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
The second stage is The Feeding Stage aka The caterpillar. This is a very important stage for the Butterfly as this is the time spent eating. Just as the caterpillar needs food to grow; we, as new Christians, take this time to grow in The Word: Prayer, Bible Study, learning to trust and obey our Father. As Jesus tells us in Matthew 4: “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
The third stage is The Transition Stage aka Pupa. This stage may appear like nothing is happening, but there are special cells present inside which are growing rapidly. Just as with The Butterfly, a new Christian finding sustenance in Our Heavenly Father has The Holy Spirit working inside, teaching us to develop fruit as Galatians 5:22-23 teaches: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
The final stage is the Beautiful Butterfly. God's perfect plan allows the Butterfly to grow in stages. To "Morph" into this beautiful creature meant to provide joy to others and to provide for the next generation. In Isaiah 55:10-12, God gives us His Will for His Word in our lives: 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills 12 will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Just as the butterfly has found it's purpose, we also find our purpose through Christ. God shares His Perfect Word with us, expecting for it to be returned to Him. We also "morph" into the beautiful person which Our Father created us to become. Realizing that His desires becomes our desires. Finding peace in a world full of distraction. Finding joy in the beauty which He shares with us each day.
Thank you Father for Your great Purpose and Plan. I pray that we all will see through the eyes of a butterfly to obediently follow the purpose You have set before us.
Your Loving Daughter
