The Process Of Transformation

Romans 5:3-4 (NLT) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

As a young boy, I lived in an area where butterflies we're in great abundance. Every spring we would take our makeshift butterfly nets outside and catch butterflies of all different colors and species. I was always fascinated by the beauty and the variety of butterflies that we're out there. It may be hard to believe that a beautiful creature like a butterfly was once an ugly, worm like creature like a caterpillar, but this is exactly how the colorful, graceful butterfly’s life cycle works. There are four stages in a butterfly’s life. The process of going from one stage to another is called metamorphosis. The first stage begins when the female lays her eggs, usually on a plant which will provide food. Soon, a caterpillar, called a larva, begins to form inside each egg. After a few days, or a few months-depending on the variety of butterfly, the caterpillar is large enough to break out of the shell and continue growing outside. It begins by eating its shell, then goes on to eat the leaves of the plant on which its egg was laid. The full-grown caterpillar gives off a thin stream of liquid from glands below its mouth. This liquid hardens into a silky thread which the caterpillar attaches to a twig or leaf. With this thread it spins a shell-like covering around its body. Inside the shell, the caterpillar changes into a pupa, or the body of a butterfly. This stage can take from ten days to several months. When the pupa has grown into an adult butterfly, it gives off a fluid which softens the shell. Then it expands its body and cracks the shell. Within half an hour, the butterfly has pumped air into its body, its blood begins to circulate, and it is ready to fly away. It's interesting, that this passage of Romans also talks about the “Metamorphis” that each of us will go through in our Christian walk. We are always changing, growing and becoming what God wants us to become. Our natural tendency is to stay in the same place and be content with that but God wants us to move forward in our Christian growth. The problem is this: it won't happen unless we are prodded a little bit. God allows hardships, trials and difficulties to help us through the process of transformation. I remember as a kid watching a caterpillar struggle to get out of its cocoon . I wanted to help the process move faster and opened up the cocoon which only caused the butterfly to eventually die. It needed the struggle to build up its muscles and wings. We can't short circuit God's plan for our lives. We must trust that God knows better what is best for us and stay the course. The struggle teaches us endurance and character. It makes us strong for those stormy parts of life. It gives us a hope that we can make it because we've made it before. God is not a fool and He knows exactly what is best for you and I. Trust Him today to see you completely through and make you to be the man and/or woman that God wants you to be!