“but we rejoice in our sufferings knowing that
suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character
produces hope.” Romans 5: 3-4
I went to my younger
brother’s house last weekend and saw maybe thirty butterflies landing on their
butterfly bush. I am in awe of their exquisiteness. Butterflies go through a
major alteration to become the beautiful creatures that we see floating all
around us. As you probably know, butterflies go through four stages of
development. First, an egg is laid on a plant which will provide food for the
larvae or caterpillars. Caterpillars
will eat furiously until they outgrow their own skin. They shed their skin several
times while they are increasing in size. When they are done growing, they form
themselves into a pupa or chrysalis. It looks as if they are resting, but a
tremendous transfiguration is going on inside. From this chrysalis a magnificent butterfly
emerges. To me this metamorphosis is like our salvation. We change inside and
become a whole new person, a new creature in Christ.
I can see
parallels in our lives to a butterfly’s in other ways, too. As the caterpillar
sheds its skin and grows, so we can allow God to use adversity to grow us. We gain
patience through our trials, and through faith in Christ we can learn endurance.
Our endurance will mold our character. Our character will be transformed, and
we will have a new hope for the future.
I have lost a
spouse to death, and one to divorce. I was filled with anguish as I saw my mom’s
life dwindle as Parkinson’s ravaged her body. I have grappled with a depression which almost
destroyed my life as I knew it. I have
recently been challenged by my older brother’s death. He had also wrestled with
Parkinson’s for twenty years.
As each stage of my life unfolds, I have contended
with my own doubts and fears. Through faith and God’s guidance, I have endured,
and God has developed my character. I have a restored hope for the future.
God’s love has poured into my heart through the Holy Spirit. I pray I will
continue to be like the adult butterfly which reproduces new life. I desire to see the conversion of many souls to
a new hope in Christ.
