There are so many things that I love about Jesus and one of them is the fact that He told stories using everyday examples that everyone could understand. He told us about the lilies of the field and the birds of the air and how He took care of them. He told stories about farmers going out to sow seed. He marked His promise with a rainbow. He then filled the world with trillions of unique stories left untold for us to discover. During those times in life when the going is really rough and we wonder if it is worth the struggle, I think He might have said consider the butterfly.
Did you know that there are about 115,000 species of moths and butterflies? They are not rare or endangered. Our world is blessed to have an abundance of butterflies gracing our plants and flowers. During the summer months I can walk out and see several hovered over my butterfly bushes or go to the zoo and see an entire exhibit dedicated to various kinds of butterflies. Out of the 115,000 species I have no idea how many butterflies are actually living on the planet at any given time but I read that there are no two exactly alike. Now you just have to say WOW!!!!
You may still be tempted to say that butterflies are just common insects that are pretty but nothing really special. These beautiful fluttering little creatures start out as just a tiny egg and go through a complete metamorphosis process. A female butterfly will attach a small insignificant egg to a leaf or a stem and from that egg will emerge a caterpillar. Still not the beautiful flying creature we know as a butterfly but rather a worm that will shed its skin four or more times to accommodate its growing body. The Monarch butterfly will eat a lot of milkweed that contains a poisonous chemical. The chemical is not harmful to the caterpillar but
as a butterfly it will produce a nasty taste, which protects the fragile butterfly from being eaten. Next comes a time period when that same caterpillar encases itself in a cocoon that it makes from a silk secreting gland. Then begins the total transformation. This is when the caterpillar tissues break down and the beginnings of the butterfly take shape. The caterpillar will be hidden from sight tucked inside its cocoon for two weeks to an entire season. Slowly it begins the process of emerging from the cocoon into its new life as a butterfly. The cocoon will either be split open as it bites its way through or it will use its own “spit” to soften the end and then push itself out. This entire process may take weeks or years to complete depending on the type of butterfly. The struggle to emerge is what strengthens the butterfly to be able to fly. The butterfly will emerge fully developed but still weak and will sit on the empty cocoon for a while in order for its wings to expand and harden.
They go through this whole process so that they can be on this earth for an average of 20 to 40 days. Some no longer than a mere three or four days while others may live up to six months. During that time they are not just flying around looking pretty. They have a purpose in life that is focused outward. They help to spread pollen so flowers will reproduce.
The butterfly begins as a small insignificant egg, emerges as a caterpillar, and seals itself in a cocoon to come forth as an exquisite butterfly. Andy Andrews book, The Butterfly Effect, contains this quote. “In 1963 Edward Lorenz presented a hypothesis to the New York Academy of Science. His theory, stated simply, was that a butterfly could flap its wings and set molecules of air in motion, which would move other molecules of air, in turn moving more molecules of air-eventually capable of starting a hurricane on the other side of the planet.”
So there you have it. If you are struggling today and wonder if it is worth the fight, go find a butterfly and hear the message that it is worth the struggle.
I try to limit my blog to under 1000 words and I think I could write 1000 words on just the thought of a tiny egg filled with potential but believing it is nothing or an unlikely caterpillar destined to fly. How about being encased in an overwhelming situation and fighting your way out gaining strength with each blow? The big finale would be living out your God given purpose in life with the potential to change the world. Since my word count is closing in on me I want to hear from you.
Please take just a couple of minutes and leave me a comment on the blog site (I don’t know how to do that exactly) or hop back on facebook and leave a comment or message. Give me your egg, worm, cocoon, butterfly, change the world comment. Be advised I may very well use your comment in a teaching somewhere down the road.
Consider the butterfly!
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