The Glory of Change

What is so special about a caterpillar?  Think about it. No one really likes caterpillars. Have you ever heard a little girl exclaim, “Oh, Momma, look at the beautiful little caterpillar?”  Have you ever purchased a caterpillar calendar?  What about a caterpillar magnet or necklace?  You probably haven’t.  I don’t know that anyone has ever tried marketing a line of Caterpillar accessories.

Butterflies, on the other hand, are a different story. Butterflies are big business.  People around the world are attracted to these little creatures with such colorful wings and wispy personalities.  The amazing thing is that A butterfly is, in reality, a caterpillar.  The same yet very different. The earthbound caterpillar is now flying high. How is this possible?  Through the unusual and seemingly magical process, we call “metamorphosis.”

If you remember your seventh-grade science, then you know that metamorphosis is the radical change from one image into another. Before your eyes gloss over from the mention of Science, let me assure you that this scientific observation is relevant to your everyday living. In fact, the Bible teaches that God uses metamorphosis in the lives of His children.

The root of metamorphosis is a Greek word metamorphoo which is used four times in the New Testament writings. It is used twice in reference to Jesus (See Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2.)  The word transfigured in these two verses speaks of the change Jesus allowed three of His disciple to see when He, for a brief period, put on the glory that He had with God before His humbling himself in the incarnation. And what glory it was!  “We beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14

The other two uses of the word metamorphoo are not about Jesus but His followers.  In Romans 12:2 the word translates into “transformed,” when Paul says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” It is used again in II Corinthians 3:18, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

The Lord intends to work a radical change in us until we become like Him.  Some think that this happened when they first believed on the Lord Jesus.  Still, others believe that it will happen when they finally reach heaven.  They are both right and wrong.  It is true that when someone becomes a Christian, there is a powerful change that transpires in them. (See II Corinthians 5:17), And, yes, one day, “…we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye…” (I Corinthians 15:51,52) and “we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”   I John 3:2

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In between the beginning and the end, we must learn to yield to His process of change in our daily walk. God leads His children to ever higher dimensions of glory.  His dream is not fulfilled until His image is restored in His children.  I can boldly say; He desires to take us from where we are to a higher place in Him.

Sadly, many in the church today are content with what makes them comfortable.  They don’t want metamorphosis; they want to believe that they have arrived or will someday arrive.  But they do not want the dark, lonely seasons that are required for glorious change to take place.  But the reality is that we must embrace the change God brings if we want destiny!

Change is never easy.  We are creatures of habit.  Security is too often found in the routine of common, nonchallenging situations.  Some are not secure unless they are in control.  Fearful, selfish living has robbed many of the generous, adventurous spirit modeled by Jesus and the early church.  Religiosity has caused many to live earthbound lives when God has called us to soar by Spirit power through life.

Don’t grow weary in the process you find yourself experiencing now. Refuse to “draw back…but…believe.” Hebrews 10:39  We are living in the day of new dimensions and the fulfillment of God’s promises in us, for us, and through us!  We are right now going through metamorphosis.  God is changing us from the image we now bear to another image.  He is getting us in the needed image so that the promises will become your reality.

The butterfly is a caterpillar who has reached destiny.  Your future is awaiting you.  Continue to yield to the working of God’s Word and Spirit in you, endure the lonely days and dark nights, struggle with Holy Spirit determination, s-t-r-e-t-c-h your wings and soar!

...struggle with Holy Spirit determination, s-t-r-e-t-c-h your wings and soar! Click To Tweet