Daily Truth: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26
We usually think of eagles soaring not butterflies. Today think of the butterfly in a new way. Think of it as a new creature, just as we become a new creature in Christ when we believe in Jesus Christ.
The new butterflies at the end of summer are always beautiful. To think that these creatures have such a dramatic transformation from caterpillar to butterfly is amazing.
Did God create this creature to give us an object lesson about new life? Before we know Christ and have new life we crawl through life as exemplified from a caterpillar.
It is interesting to note that the Monarch butterfly must have a milkweed plant to live. We too must have milk to grow and thrive. But as we grow we need much more than milk. In Hebrews 13:5 God tells us, “For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.” If we are to grow to full maturity in Christ we will need to study and apply God’s Word.
The new caterpillar eats the leaves where it has hatched so it eats rapidly and sheds the exoskeleton many times. We too can only know of the world around us before having a personal relationship with Christ. We see the things around us without giving thanks to God or realizing that true strength comes from Christ.
Once the caterpillar is done growing it forms itself into a pupa or chrysalis. Sometimes we build a wall around us to keep things from affecting us. If we do not change or “get a new heart” which in Hebrew means to have a change of mind we will be left to our own sinful selves. We might look great on the outside but our minds are not that of Christ.
The chrysalis changes and a beautiful butterfly emerges. What a transformation! Is that how God see us? We are totally different when we ask Jesus Christ to be our Savior. We can fly away from the “milkweed” that has held us captive before our transformation. We can soar through the skies. Our perspective changes as we are now above looking at the world from a different perspective. Jesus Christ has set us free and the Holy Spirit guides us as we go through life as a new creature.
Next time you and your child see a butterfly talk about the way God transforms our lives. Make a teachable moment come alive with one of God’s beautiful creatures.
Below is a butterfly craft you may like to do with your child. The only materials needed are colored markers, a coffee filter, and chenille wire.
- Color the coffee filter, the more colors used the prettier it will be.
- Spray the coffee filter with water to diffuse colors.
- Place dried coffee filter into the chenille wire that has been bent in half. Twist at the bottom and at the top of where the coffee filter has been inserted and then bend the remaining wire to form antennas.
Some good books that teach about the stages of butterflies are: “Caterpillar Spring, Butterfly Summer”, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”, and “Caterpillar to Butterfly”
Using things in nature to teach God’s Word to children is exactly what God does with us, His children.
New life in Christ makes us beautiful to be around, gives us the ability to soar, and allows us an eternal home with God.
Until the next “Truth” sharing moment,
Cathy Jo Johnson
What a beautiful metaphor! Thank you for this encouraging article!
Thank you very much:)