he transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly is an example of how God can make all things new. It is a picture of how God can change us from the unattractive to the beautiful, from the unproductive to those who are valuable in his kingdom.

Butterflies have many enemies; birds are among the worst. Various kinds of flies and wasps lay their eggs on or in the bodies of the caterpillars, so the larvae dig in and feed on the tissues. Isn’t that what our enemy Satan does? Lucifer puts sinful thoughts into our minds to eat away at our spirit, to tempt Christians, unless we daily spend time reading and memorizing Scripture.

Larvae, or caterpillars, are multi-legged eating machines. They consume plant leaves and spend practically all of their time in search of food. Caterpillars mature through a series of stages called instars. Butterfly wing patterns develop at the last larval instar and make an impressive statement. As we believers set apart a regular time in our lives to know God and the power of his resurrection and live it every day, our lives will radiate as a testimony.

Butterflies are active during the day and are usually brightly colored or strikingly patterned. In our daily lives, do we leave a vivid testimony of God’s change within us? Paul wrote in Philippians 3:10, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him ….”

God’s transformation of a Christian’s life is a contrast to our sinful nature. The change from caterpillar to butterfly is natural, a work of God the Creator. God alone deserves praise and glory for his metamorphosis work in the life of a Christian. As we are drawn to the beauty and graceful movements of the butterfly, many others can be drawn to the beauty of Jesus through the changes God makes in our lives. The Lord speaks through his creation.

Romans 12:2 - “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”