“Metamorphosis” by timtoolman using Mecabricks

John 3:3 NLT ”Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

The amazing transformation from caterpillar to butterfly is known as metamorphosis. Within this process of radical change, the caterpillar forms a cocoon or chrysalis. Hidden within the chrysalis, deconstruction is happening, and yet this is not the end. The traits of a caterpillar are replaced by the new formation of a butterfly. A creature that once crawled the ground with the drive to feed itself will emerge transformed into a creature that rises on wings to pollinate and reproduce.

As Christians, it is vital to understand God as both Creator and Redeemer. While it is true that God never makes mistakes, His purposes are often far-sighted. In John 9:1-3, the disciples questioned Jesus as to why a man was born blind, whether due to the man’s sin or his parents’ sin. Jesus challenged them to look beyond the original condition to see God’s greater purpose, to display His healing power. In modern times, we just assume that the way we are born defines God’s end goal, untainted by any of sin’s curse, with no room to grow or change. If that were true, then we’d all be in trouble. We were all born with our individual sinful desires, vulnerabilities, shortage of discernment, and our common mortality. No doubt this cannot carry on into God’s eternal home.

The fact that every human body is destined to die reveals the need for redemption, the need for a Savior. These dying bodies have a temporary purpose, a purpose that can only be transformed by God to impact eternity. While in these mortal bodies, God works on our eternal hearts. The Christian is marked by a radical change that rises on wings to ascend fleshly desires. 2 Cor. 5:17 ESV says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” The caterpillar identity is sacrificed to make way for the butterfly, for us the temporary passions make way for the eternal divine purpose. Along with that hope is the promise of new bodies incorruptible or indestructible, no longer attached to a world cursed by sin (2 Cor. 5:1-5). I have lived long enough to realize that some traits that I loved about myself did not necessarily define me. The work of the Holy Spirit enhances my natural patience, kindness, determination, and wisdom to a new level. Furthermore, I trust that God the Father will not remove any good gift – without replacing it with better gifts. After all, He made me, so why not trust Him with my eternal growth?

I find it amazing how Jesus offered the choice to the lame man in John 5:6, knowing that the man had long been waiting by a pool for a miracle. Yes, the man obviously wanted to be healed, but the question remained, did he want to be healed by Jesus? I believe that one of the most powerful forces in the universe is choice; atheists cannot even give a natural explanation for it. Each of us faces the choice in this life – will we continue with the life of our choosing, or will we trust God to take our lives and transform it according to His will? Born our way or born His way?

See also:

https://ansp.org/exhibits/online-exhibits/butterflies/lifecycle