Our team decided that for an adventure day, we would climb up the Ometepe Volcano to get to a waterfall. On our way up it started to rain and I was so relieved. I am, sadly, a sweater and the rain cooled me off. It also added to the sense of adventure!
On our way back down the volcano, Jennifer and I saw multiple butterflies fluttering in the rain. Most butterflies hide before it rains and for good reason; Butterfly wings are extremely fragile, some much thinner than flower petals. So rain could devastate these creatures very quickly.
Yet these butterflies flew anyway, bravely fluttering in the air, gliding from flower to flower, dodging raindrops.
For some reason the image of those butterflies stuck with me this month. I was gathering a lot of sermons from them.
We have seen a lot of orphans, mentally ill, crippled, poor, and even immigrants whose journeys have been long and hard. But when we are gently assured that we have the “the friend that sticks closer than a brother”, our companion to the very end, we can, in any circumstance, be courageous; take that next shaky step, and be who we were made to become.
“Be sure of this—that I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20
To look at them, butterflies do not exemplify valor. They are not strong like the eagle, nor do they make beautiful music like the lark.
But the Lord made them strong in a different way.
They were caterpillars once. Then they have the waiting and transformation time, after which, they receive their wings and colors.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36.
Freedom is always preferable to a cage, even a beautiful and comfortable one.
Butterflies are one of the beautiful living metaphors of the “of being a new creation. The old has gone. The new has come.” And looking at them really hit me with this truth;
When you are changed through Christ, you cannot go back!
For those in Christ (including myself!) that are afraid of their weaknesses, ashamed of temptations, disgusted by their sin, do not lose heart! Remember, the Son has set you free! From glory to glory.
You have been transformed, so look at your wings and don’t compare with the birds. You can only go further towards Him, and deeper into the freedom He has given you.
Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
In the dove grey dawn, a sky releases it’s burden
and the earth opens its mouth to quench it’s thirst
a winged creature dives in and out of the wet curtain
a contented butterfly’s journey is now cursed
Only one drop will end its flight
only one drop will fail it’s wings to the distant ground
And there are a multitude of drops, water beyond sight
Would anyone care if this little one fell without a sound?
And yet the butterfly flies anyway
Though the storm rages and roars
No need has it to fear this dark day
It sings the song of identity as it soars
“I was once a lowly creature of dirt and soil
and then the great maker fashioned me iridescent wings
Though the rain make my journey hard or end it in toil
My home lies in His hands so my heart still sings!”
Tori Thompson
8/31/2015
