Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. ~Romans 12:2
Sammy inched his way into the big meeting. The other caterpillars had assembled there as well. He waited in anticipation to hear the good news that had been buzzing around the grove all week. Now he watched as a majestic butterfly floated up to the podium.
“It is with great pleasure I come to you today, sent by the Creator to tell you of His great plan for you,” the butterfly said joyfully. “He wants you to know that you have been created for a new life; a life that, if you will allow Him to, will transform you from a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly.”
A gasp spread through the crowd. Whispers of, “What did he say?” and “That is just crazy,” filled the room.
“No, it isn’t crazy talk, it is true,” the speaker replied. “You have been created for good works, to help prepare the fields for a big harvest.”
After the speaker had finished all he had to say, Sammy sat there stunned. Could it be true? It sounded like such a wonderful story, and his heart was racing. Some of the other caterpillars were already leaving shaking their heads and making fun of what the big butterfly had said. Others were huddled together excitedly talking about the big transformation day.
What was Sammy to think? He longed to be a beautiful butterfly spreading his wings and floating on the afternoon breeze. He felt it deep inside, growing with every moment; a knowing that what he had heard was true. Even though it sounded strange, this wasn’t the first time he had heard about this. He had heard others talking about it, and butterflies telling of their former days as caterpillars. He knew he believed.
The following days were busy and friends gathered together to discuss how to make this metamorphosis happen. They shared wonderful books telling them about the Creator’s instruction book. Some of the caterpillars started reading the Creator’s book for themselves. They read other books to help them understand the Creator’s book, but mostly they just read His book.
These caterpillars began to build a cocoon separating themselves from the typical life of the other caterpillars. Some of the other caterpillars laughed at them, and thought they were being judgmental and mean no matter how much the cocoon caterpillars tried to explain that they were just trying to follow the Creator’s plan.
Some caterpillars listened to others who thought they had a great plan for changing. These caterpillars ended up painting their body’s different colors and trying to build wings. Some had tried to jump from the high branches and wait for their wings to sprout, but nothing had happened, and many had gotten hurt.
Sammy was in a group of caterpillars that believed the cocoon caterpillars were taking it just a little too far. Even though the cocoon caterpillars encouraged him to read the Creator’s book, he thought it was boring, and he just didn’t have the time to read it. It seemed so old fashioned, with lots of stories of caterpillars from long ago and their change, but he couldn’t really see how that affected his life today.
Sammy enjoyed reading the books written about the Creator’s book. They were exciting. The only problem was that they could also be a little confusing because some books said that the Creator meant this, and others said he meant something else. It was hard to tell which one was right.
Time was passing quickly, and a lot of Sammy’s friends were already completely wrapped in their cocoons. His friends that believed, but only read what other’s said about the Creator’s plan, were beginning to wonder why they believed in the first place. Many were longingly looking at the lives of the caterpillars who hadn’t believed at all. They seemed to be having fun. They weren’t reading and studying. They weren’t trying to change. They hadn’t spent all their time trying to feel or work their way into becoming a butterfly.
Sammy had to make a decision, and he had to do it quickly. There wasn’t much time, he could just feel it. The majestic butterfly had said that transformation day was coming. He could follow what the Creator instructed him and become a butterfly or he could do what he thought best and stay a caterpillar.
Sammy really wanted to be part of the big harvest. He really wanted to have the life the Creator had promised. The only way he could do that was to become a butterfly. So, Sammy took out the Creator’s Instruction Book and began to read.
As he read, a cocoon began to form around him. He realized that what others saw from the outside as a wall that looked like judgment, from the inside was a place of rest and safety from the harsh world outside. It was a place where the Creator spoke beautiful things into his heart. He could already feel the transformation beginning.
The cocoon was getting way too tight. He whispered to the Creator, “Is it time?”
“Yes,” the Creator whispered back to Sammy. “You are ready.”
Sammy slipped from the cocoon into the cool afternoon breeze. His wings unfurled and a gentle gust pulled him into the air. The beauty of the fields below was breathtaking. From deep within his heart he heard the Creator say,
“Go, Sammy, now you are ready to do what I created you to do. You now know what my will is – my good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
We are not to conform to the pattern of this world, but neither are we to try to conform ourselves to the Christian life. We are to be transformed by renewing our mind with the Word of God and fellowship with our Lord. Only then can the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit make us into the new creature we are called to be.
Debbie's Perspective 