As New as a Beautiful Butterfly

Last year for our anniversary, my husband and I spent the day together. We visited an indoor butterfly exhibit. It’s the type of exhibit where you walk through a space with butterflies flying all around you, so that you could see them up close. It was simply fascinating! Butterflies would land on your head, your arm, or your hand. The variety of butterflies and their beautiful display of vibrant color amazed me. We learned about their life cycle, particularly butterfly metamorphosis (when a caterpillar changes into a butterfly).

It starts when the caterpillar reaches a state in its growth cycle and begins the process of making itself a protective shell called a chrysalis. Then as the caterpillar is in the chrysalis, it starts to grow wings and antennae and becomes a butterfly.

As interesting as a butterfly’s transformation can be, a transformed life is even sweeter. Listen to these words in 2 Corinthians 5:17:

“This means that anyone who belongs in Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.” (NLT)

Whenever someone places their trust in Jesus to be their Savior, and to forgive them of their sins the Bible says they become a new creation, a brand-new person. The old life of sin’s bondage, opposition to God, and walking in spiritual darkness is gone. A new life then begins as you walk in the light. Jesus said in John 8:12:

… “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

You may be wondering how we do this. How do we become this new creation? Here is where it gets exciting. Look at this next passage in Romans.

“Do not 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 2:12 NLT

The word transform (metamorphoo) means to change form. It is the same word that we get metamorphosis from as I mentioned above. God changes us as we let him change our way of thinking, through the work of his Holy Spirit in us.

It won’t happen overnight. Transformation takes time, even for butterflies. That is okay, we are not on any time limits, God is not concerned with the time it takes to change, he is more concerned about your resolve to change. You may want to consider the following to help you along the way:

Make time for God’s Word – Read and study God’s word by setting up a regular reading plan.

Meet Together with Others – Attend church regularly and join a group in the church that interests you. Most churches offer life or community groups according to age, and gender.

Be Mentored – You may want to find someone to disciple you. Some churches have ministries where older women in the faith will come alongside younger women for discipleship and encouragement.

As you engage in your journey, you will begin to see these changes in your life and transform into a new beautiful you.