My friend sent me this picture while she was out walking last week. The beautiful butterfly made me think how it originally was a soft little caterpillar crawling on plant leaves, knowing one day it’s life would be transformed. The caterpillar stops eating, hangs upside down from a twig or leaf and spins itself a silky cocoon. While in its new protective casing, it radically transforms its body. It will change into a butterfly or a moth. It can’t become anything else, but there’s no reliable way to know which it will become just by looking at it.
Paul wrote in Romans, “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 learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 NLT
Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Transformation to the image of Jesus Christ. As I pondered on this thought for a couple a days. I realized we are a lot like the caterpillar when we become age of accountability knowing right from wrong is when the process starts. We have freedom of choice we can either choose to serve God or our sinful nature which is evil.
What will you choose?
When you give your heart to God little by little you recognize things in your life that needs to change.
“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5:19-21 NLT
Whatever your sin may be, when you offer it up to God he will transform your mind in order to put it to death. By refusing that thought you are refusing to let it continue to grow. God will replace it with the fruit of the spirit.
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
As I was writing this story, I definitely didn’t want to be a moth. I sadly have to say I wanted to be a beautiful butterfly. I thought everyone would want to be a butterfly. That’s how easy Satan deceives us. When I studied each specific specie a moth is drawn toward light for some unknown reason. Even when its efforts toward light prove dangerous the moth continues to drive forward, demonstrating its faith and determination. Jesus is the light of the world that draws us closer and closer to him.
Dear Lord, please continue to transform my life from pride, and self – centeredness that I may always glorify you. The butterfly 🦋 for me represents my old sinful nature. Thank you Lord, for giving me this simple story. I pray that it will touch many hearts that will choose to follow you today. In Jesus name, amen 🙏
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 NIV
