Metamorphosis



We are studying the changes a caterpillar undergoes to become a butterfly through the process of Metamorphosis in our classroom. To be honest it is a bit gross if you're not into insects (I'm totally not)... but the process is truly amazing.


They start very small as eggs, and then go through many different stages rather quickly.


As soon as the eggs hatch and they become caterpillars, they have a MASSIVE hunger. They have one job at this time... eat. We watched these little guys day by day become twice their size! 



Since they are growing so quickly, they face a challenge in that their skin cannot grow with them. So as they make a new skin underneath, they "shed" or molt the old one. 


They undergo this process 5 times, until they are way too big for their caterpillar skin and so spin silk around themseves and become something that looks like a coccoon, but is called a Chrysalis.


Finally during this stage which appears to be their resting stage... is actually the most amazing part!


Inside that still nestled up little Chrysalis, the caterpillar is transforming itself into a butterfly.


Within a few days, the caterpillar is a new creature with beautiful wings and can fly.


I always find a way to relate things back to God (that's just how my mind works now)... and I couldn't help but think how much Metamorphasis reminds me of being born again (Christian).


// Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. // John 3:2
 

When we first come to know Jesus, we have this massive hunger to know who He is.

We dig into scripture, listen to sermons and encouraging music, go to different encouraging events, and become deeper involved with perhaps the church or certain ministries.


We desire to know who exactly is this God that sought after our hearts and unblinded us to a whole new world.


And so just like the caterpillar, we grow and grow the more we "eat" and fill ourselves with the knowledge of God and He continues to open up our hearts.

As we grow, we "molt" or rather change our old sinful ways and start becoming a new person. We don't see things or have a desire to do certain things like we did anymore... we have a new light in us.

Finally, just like the caterpillar that wraps itself into a Chrysalis, we too are being transformed by Jesus.

// And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. // Romans 12:2 

 
But what I found interesting is that when the butterfly finally is ready, it MUST have the strength to break itself free from the Chrysalis.

The struggle it undergoes to break free is necessary for the butterfly to survive and be able fly. Once it is free, the butterfly pumps blood into its wings and strengthens and dries them before flight.

Finally, the butterfly is ready to fly. The whole purpose of an adult butterfly is to reproduce and plant eggs elsewhere to begin the process again.


Just like Jesus commands us to do once we are believers... to go and spread the good news to others.


// Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. // Matthew 28: 19 



How beautiful is that?! My mind was blown away when I saw this process unravel before my eyes, and then even more so that God does the same with our lives once we come to Him.

He places beauty all around us, the process of change is scary... but in the end worth the incredible growth we undergo to become what God always had planned for us.

We become a beautiful new being (just like butterflies!) filled with light, a second chance, and new purpose.


And then, we too are finally ready to fly.