Wonderfully Made

Grandparents and granddaughter alike stood enthralled over the course of twenty-one days or so, as we watched the transformation of ten tiny bug-like creatures into beautiful butterflies. The metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly is something we learn about at school, but not all of us get the opportunity to watch the miraculous process as a day by day process.

One of the birthday presents that our granddaughter received was a butterfly garden kit, which enabled us to do just that. As we watched day after day the ten miniscule caterpillars grew bigger and bigger, and eventually found their way to the lid of the pot they were in, where they gradually formed their chrysalises. At that stage, they had to be transferred, still attached to the lid of their pot, to a specially designed net where they were able to complete that wonderful transformation into the creatures they were designed to be - beautiful butterflies.

It was a delight to watch as they were eventually released to continue fulfilling their destiny in the world around them. As they opened their wings for the first time, and flew out into the fresh air and sunshine, we could only reflect again on what a great God we have, and what a wonderful creation He’s given us to enjoy. Each of those almost insignificant little creatures had within them the potential to become a beautiful butterfly, able to fly and enjoy the freedom to explore the world around them, and also bring enjoyment to those who were able to watch.

The metamorphosis of a butterfly is often used as an analogy to help explain how God can change us and make us into the person He intended us to be, so that we can fulfill our destiny and bring glory to Him. On those difficult days when we may be struggling to make sense of the circumstances we find ourselves in, times when we may feel a failure, hurt, rejected, dejected, disappointed, perplexed, fearful, whatever, perhaps we need to think more of how God sees us.

There’s much in Scripture that tells us that Creator God, our Heavenly Father, sees us so differently from how we see ourselves. In Zephaniah 3:17, we read ‘He is a mighty saviour. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song’. He loves us and cares for us just as we are, and in the same way as He sees the butterfly within the little caterpillar, He sees something of real beauty, worth, purpose and potential in each of us.

From the moment we accept Jesus as Saviour, a transforming work begins, and it will continue until the day we meet Jesus face to face (Philippians 1:6). As we reach out to Him and resolve to walk in obedience to His word, and allow His Spirit to direct us, and as we draw closer to Him and enter more fully into a personal relationship with Him, we shall gradually be changed into His likeness. We’ll be able to fulfill the destiny we were created for – to glorify God. ‘For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago’ (Ephesians 2:10 NLT).

Prayer. Dear Lord, thank You for loving me. Please help me to see myself as You see me, and allow You to do what’s necessary in my life to fulfill my potential in you. Amen.