If you took time to watch the video you will see 4 stages of a butterfly's life represented in the video: a caterpillar, a chrysalis, a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, and a butterfly with wings fully open and ready to fly. It is pretty incredible.
I've been reading through the life of Joseph and as I thought about the butterfly, I saw the similarities of the between their processes. When Joseph was 17 years old he had a dream. He was like that caterpillar seeing the end product of the butterfly but not being anywhere close to doing it. It wasn't time for the dream to happen but he was able to see it. However, his dreams came crashing down when he was captured and sent off to Egypt and even in Egypt things got worse when he was put into prison. That stage was like the chrysalis. He had no idea what was happening. Then there is the emerging out of the chrysalis to become what he was always supposed to be. This happened when he explained the dream to the king. And finally, the big beautiful butterfly, with his wings extended was when he became second in command to Pharaoh.
The thing that I realized while watching the butterfly is that the butterfly had to go through that process to become a butterfly. There isn't one stage of the process that is more right than the other stage (although some look more enjoyable than others). All stages are needed.
I know in my personal Christian walk I've experienced the process of going through the different stages. Currently, I feel like the emerging butterfly. I feel like I am struggling against the things that have begun to close me in. But in the struggle, I am trying to hold onto the dreams that I had in early stages of my life. What has been the consistent message to my heart over the last month, is that the process is part of my journey, a part of making me who I am becoming and to keep holding on for the day I will get to fly.
What an amazing God we serve!! We are waiting for our caterpillars, I can't wait!! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think I'm still struggling to emerge from the cocoon. There are so many ways that "the enemy" uses to try to stifle our dreams, and thwart God's purposes in our lives. But, praise God, He has won that battle!
ReplyDeleteI love this verse from Genesis - spoken from the mouth of Joseph:
"But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good..." (Genesis 50:20 KJV)
Yes, all things work together for good - and all are part of the process of becoming butterflies!
Thanks for sharing. I know the metaphor is not perfect because there are some things which I feel I am flying on, and there are other areas in my life that I feel like it is a constant struggle. I love the verse though that you shared and it is good to keep in mind that God is our Reedemer.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing video. I have never seen this process before! I love how you relate the stages of the butterfly to our spiritual life! I am also in the "emerging butterfly" phase. It is so difficult but it is helpful to understand that it is a necessary part of the process.
ReplyDeleteAwesome insights!