A Beautiful Exchange

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”  ~Maya Angelou

One lazy, Sunday afternoon, I found myself strolling along the wooded pathways of Bluebonnet Swamp on the outskirts of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  I often seek it’s seclusion to meditate and spend time in prayer with God.  Surrounded by His beautiful craftsmanship, I find a secret comfort among the sights and sounds of the natural world.  Birds sing their melodies overhead as all manner of creature and creeping thing  make their way past you completely unhindered, usually just a  foot or two from where you may be standing.  Some find the  mysteries of the darkened wilderness a little unnerving, but I’ve been traveling its pathways for so long now, I think of it as a way to escape the hustle and bustle of my busy life. 

On this particular day, I decided to take a moment to rest on a covered bench to relish in the peaceful diversion when a butterfly caught my attention.  It fluttered and glided in the warm afternoon air dancing across the sky. Popular Science Fiction Author R.H. Heinlein once described the gentle insects as “… self propelled flowers” and with good reason.  As I watched the beautifully bizarre ballet, it landed gently on my chest as if listening to my heartbeat.  I sat motionless trying not to frighten it away, but just as quickly as it had graced me with it’s presence, it had discerned a reason to leave.   

 “What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.”  ~Richard Bach

What I find to be the most interesting aspect of this magnificent creature, is that it did not spend its entire life as a butterfly.  In fact, its beginnings were far more humble.  Lumbering around on the ground, the caterpillar appears to live a rather mundane existence.  In fact, it spends a majority of its time in the foliage on the forest floor or in trees feeding in an attempt to satisfy its voracious appetite.  As you already know, this drive and incessant labor is all in preparation for a much greater future.  The journey it is currently undertaking may appear to be arduous and unpleasant, but without it, the butterfly would never live to see its full potential.  For example, when the larvae of the Monarch Butterfly is fully grown,  it makes a button of silk which it uses to fasten its body to a leaf or a twig.  For two weeks, it will remain suspended in the air undergoing a transformation behind the dark encasement of its cocoon.  The word transformation is defined as a change in form, appearance, nature, or character.  Within this protected environment the caterpillar’s skin comes off for the final time. Under this old skin is a hard skin called a chrysalis.  The word chrysalis is derived from a Greek origin.  The Greek word χρυσός (chrysós) roughly translates to gold which references the metallic gold-colouration found in the pupae of many butterflies.  All of these things must take place before the majestic Monarch Butterfly can erupt from its hideaway and fly on the wings God has secretly prepared for it. 

 “Don’t curse your crisis, it’s what’s bringing you closer to God.” ~Pastor Mike Haman

As human beings, it is very easy for us to look at where we are in the natural and forget that God has predestined us for something much greater.  It’s natural to compare your situation with others, but in the words of Max Ehrmann “If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself“.  Your struggle is indeed your own, but it will only last for a season.  Not even the beautiful butterfly can escape the seasons of change.  It begins as a larvae, progresses to a pupae, and then develops into the winged creature we adore so much.  Essentially, it progressively  exchanges a lesser life for a life that is much greater. 

What I find fascinating, is that the greatest transformation comes when it is enveloped in total seclusion from the world.  Surely God has not forgotten its location, but undeniably, the rest of creation has.  However isolated this time may be, without it the butterfly would not be able to form its gold chrysalis.   Like the butterfly, you may be feeling isolated and alone.  You may be going through a crisis or a hardship that is testing your faith.  But know this, God has not forgotten where you are.  Job went through several hardships, but he never cursed God because of them.  Instead, he responded with the understanding that there must be a reason for them.

“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” ~ Job 23:10

The Bible makes several references to gold being tested in fire.  As you may already know, when gold becomes heated, it loses its impurities.  This comparison is especially relevant to Believers because we often face many kinds  of hardships and trials on a daily basis.  But, like Job and the Monarch Butterfly, its all a part of Gods divine design.  Lets take a look a at a few books in the Bible to see what they say about being tested in the fire.

  ^18″I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. ¹⁹Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. ²⁰Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. ²¹To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.” ~Revelations 3:18-22 NIV

^6″In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” ~1 Peter 1:6-9 NIV

^1″Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ²through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. ³Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” ~Romans 5:1-5 NIV

“There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly.”  ~Richard Buckminster Fuller

The Bible uses the analogy of gold being purified by fire to give a greater understanding of how through hardships, we gain a purity in character.  If we allow them to, the pain and pressures of our existence can transform us from a thing that is ordinary into something that is extraordinary beyond measure.  This beautiful exchange often takes place in a place of isolation or seclusion because that is often where God can gain our total, unobstructed attention. Like the Butterfly, these changes usually occur in seasons.  Even though you may be caught in a season that is mundane and laborious or one that is filled with isolation and loneliness, recognize that God is still in control and will remove you from the golden chrysalis of change and let you soar on the wings he has predestined you to have.  Regardless of how things may appear in the natural, know that God has the final say and desires the very best for your life.  Be Blessed, My Friends.  Be an Overcomer!

~Bro. Jason Z. Hunt

Memory Verse: “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” ~ Job 23:10

Memory Word: “Transformation”: a change in form, appearance, nature, or character.

Inspiring Music:“Black Butterfly” by Denise Williams and “Beautiful Exchange” by Hillsong