What the caterpillar thought

or did she?

This dying to self, becoming something new - this is a bit of work!, thought the caterpillar. How many times had she shed her skin as she grew? Different colors, different sizes. Still, she knew she was not yet what she was meant to be.

So, here she was, tucked away on the underside of a leaf, trying something new. Something...life-changing. Creating this cocoon had certainly been hard work. To what end? She was not sure, but she had faith that she would be better than before.

Encased in her silken world, she felt safe, at peace. Yet, she was also full of excitement and anticipation. She felt something shifting and changing inside.She imagined reentering the world as a beautiful and wise butterfly. Loved and adored by all. No longer a creeping caterpillar.
Soon, I will be free. Different.
 
Even so, that demon of doubt sometimes plagued her as she lay nestled inside her protective cocoon.

This is taking so long! Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I won't be more than what I have always been....

But just when the caterpillar thought that her life might never change, she emerged from her cocoon. A  beautiful new...

moth?


What? Wait, that isn’t how the story is supposed to go!






Well, let's face it people. Some stories don't turn out the way you expect. Rest assured though, God has written our stories exactly as they should be. Transformation does not happen overnight - true story! Metamorphosis takes place after we've made some outward changes, while God changes up the inside. It happens when we allow ourselves to be covered and protected—over time. And when the time is right, we will be new creatures. Moth or butterfly, it matters not. Butterflies may be admired for their beauty, but moths create silken beauty.  Both are valued, loved, and prized for the qualities instilled by the Creator.


Over the past few years, I have committed to doing life with others in my church. I recently realized that it has been within the cocoon of my small group(s) that my life has changed. Transformation does not take place in isolation! It is within the cocoon of fellowship, a connection with life-giving friends and mentors that lives change.


Choose to let your life be wrapped up and covered with the prayers, encouragement, laughter, and accountability of life-giving friends. Over time, the old will pass away; you will be transformed.

Once I was a caterpillar, trying to change my life by changing my skin. Changing what the world saw in me. I wanted to be a beautiful butterfly, adored and accepted. I slipped from one sinful skin to the next—still I was but a caterpillar. Who am I now? The world will judge that according to its standards, but I do know that it doesn't really matter what I look like. "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel: 17:7, ESV).





The Luna Moth,
a beauty in its own right.
For more on moths and butterflies... 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold,the new has come - 2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV