Colorado was rather dry that year. We made the trip up from New Mexico and there were few bright flowers along the way. Near a bridge over the San Juan, two bits of color caught my eye. I love watching butterflies.
Pastor reminded me of this shot with the example he gave Sunday of someone helping the struggling butterfly out of its cocoon, only to see it die because it could not fly. We’ve all heard this example at one time or another, but few apply it to our own lives.
We are the butterfly – not those around us. We are the ones who need to accomplish the struggle. We aren’t the kind person who, as an outstanding co-dependent, erroneously help the one struggling.
This shouldn’t be an example of our backing off from helping, it should be the best example to encourage us to continue struggling to achieve the future God has in store for us. No one has been promised life without struggles. The opposite, from Eden’s exit.
… cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, (Genesis 3:17b-19a KJV)
“But, but…” people say, “I’ve had it so rough! No one has faced what I have.” We cry out as Elijah:
… and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. (1 Kings 19:10 KJV)
“So there are good reasons why I am (insert feeling that keeps us from doing what God has in mind for us).”
Hey, I know about that! I use(d) such excuses myself. Yep, have one or two sitting nearby to use in case of emergencies. Don’t you? Early Christians did, too. Except, maybe, for Paul:
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. (1 Thessalonians 4:1 KJV)
We do, however, have an even better example:
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. (John 13:15 KJV)
That’s not John speaking, that’s Jesus. And He knows how we’ll feel when we follow His example:
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. (John 13:17 KJV)
Be the butterfly you are born to be. Struggle and grow strong, and be happy!
Amen, my husband and I sing this song, thought you may enjoy the words to it.
ReplyDeleteCHANGED LIKE A BUTTERFLY
VERSE 1
ONE AUTUMN DAY I WATCHED, A CATERPILLAR CLIMB A TREE
HE WRAPPED HIMSELF IN SILKEN THREAD,
SAFE FROM THE WORLD WAS HE
THEN WINTER CAME WITH COLD AND RAIN
BUT HE WAS SAFE INSIDE,
AND WITH THE SPRING A MIRACLE
GOD MADE A BUTTERFLY
CHORUS
AMAZING GRACE, HOW CAN IT BE? OH, PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME,
HE WRAPPED ME IN HIS THREADS OF LOVE,
I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME
ONE BLESSED DAY, I'LL SEE HIS FACE
HE'LL SPLIT THE EASTERN SKY
THEN WITH HIS SHOUT, I'LL FLY AWAY, CHANGED LIKE A BUTTERFLY
VERSE 2
MY LIFE WAS RUINED, I HAD NOT HOPE;
A HELL BOUND ROAD I TROD,
BUT THEN I MET THE SAVIOUR, THE BLESSED SON OF GOD
HE'S CHANGED MY LIFE, I'VE BEEN SET FREE
FROM THIS OLD WORLD OF SIN, IN HIM A NEW CREATION
I HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN.
CHORUS
AMAZING GRACE, HOW CAN IT BE? OH PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME,
HE WRAPPED ME IN HIS THREADS OF LOVE,
I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME
ONE BLESSED DAY, I'LL SEE HIS FACE
HE'LL SPLIT THE EASTERN SKY
THEN WITH HIS SHOULD, I'LL FLY AWAY, CHANGED LIKE A BUTTERFLY
YES WITH HIS SHOUT, I'LL FLY AWAY, CHANGED LIKE A BUTTERFLY
VERSE 3
THE BIBLE TELLS OF MYSTERIES, AND HOW WE'LL ALL BE CHANGED
MORTAL TO IMMORTAL, IT CANNOT BE EXPLAINED,
BUT I SHALL BE LIKE JESUS AND REIGN WITH HIM ON HIGH.
HOW CAN I DOUBT HIS PROMISES?
I'VE SEEN A BUTTERFLY
CHORUS
AMAZING GRACE, HOW CAN IT BE? OH PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME,
HE WRAPPED ME IN HIS THREADS OF LOVE,
I'LL NEVER BE THE SAME
ONE BLESSED DAY, I'LL SEE HIS FACE
HE'LL SPLIT THE EASTERN SKY
THEN WITH HIS SHOULD, I'LL FLY AWAY, CHANGED LIKE A BUTTERFLY
YES WITH HIS SHOUT, I'LL FLY AWAY, CHANGED LIKE A BUTTERFLY
Hi Grammy Blick -
ReplyDeleteWow! Another pleasant surprise.
I just read recently a butterfly post on someone else's blog - www.sharonsharinggod.blogspot.com.
It was a rich read.
Also, our Lord led me to photograph some butterflies. At least one photo was posted on my blog.
I loved the butterfly shot that you have shown here. That is a very good capture of our Lord's creature. Also, I enjoyed what you expressed. It gave me heart flutters.
Thank you