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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Spring is finally here. One clear sign of this, is the bulbs my husband and I planted last fall are starting to sprout through the dirt. Once the flowers start blooming in spring, I always look forward to the butterflies that come and visit.

When you look at the beautifully intricate designs of the wings of a butterfly, you would never imagine that it was once a twelve-legged tree crawling caterpillar, unless you read about it in your science class.

Once the caterpillar has reached a level of maturity, they attach themselves to a suitable place and hang upside down in a “J” shape. Spinning themselves into a silky cocoon for protection during their metamorphosis.

Before the body of the butterfly can begin formation, the body of the caterpillar must die. Their DNA tells the enzymes and hormones exactly what to do and when. Once their transformation is complete, a butterfly will have to fight its’ way out of the hard outer case that’s been protecting it the whole time. As the butterfly beats its’ wings against the shell, it develops muscles needed for survival. The struggle strengthens their wings for flight. Helping the butterfly out of the chrysalis will prevent it from ever flying.

As a human race, we’re all born as sinners headed for hell. Yet we don’t have to stay in that lowly state. Our metamorphosis begins with choosing to surrender our lives to the shape and design that Jesus desires. He may turn our world upside down in the process. Removing people, and things as needed to transform us into His shape. Because everything we need to survive is supplied to us through the DNA of the Holy Spirit. Which we receive when we accept Jesus as our Savior.

Butterflies and caterpillars don’t just look different – they behave differently too. Once a butterfly emerges, it no longer crawls on the ground. Science believes they may remember what they learned as a caterpillar – but they no longer live as a caterpillar. Their neural wiring is changed during metamorphosis.

When we transform from a sinner to an individual saved by grace – we should not only act but think differently also. We may remember our former lives of sin (the mistakes made) but through the Holy Spirit, we should no longer live in the bondage of those regrets. Unlike the butterfly, our spiritual wings of faith may be weak in the beginning. But they will get stronger every time we take our thoughts captive and chose to live and walk in truth – instead of our feelings.

Being a new creation in Christ means allowing our minds to be rewired from unhealthy thoughts to a life of victory. (Colossians 3:15)

“Father thank you for the beautiful transformation of salvation that you offer us through your son Jesus.”

For His Glory

Laura Holmes   (www.ephraimministries.org)
TRBC Women’s Life