Metamorphosis
By Karen D’Amore
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you in to a new person by changing the way you think.”
Romans 12:2 (The Message)
By Karen D’Amore
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you in to a new person by changing the way you think.”
Romans 12:2 (The Message)
A metamorphosis process begins the moment that we choose to follow Christ. Metamorphosis is defined as: a transformation; a marked change in appearance, character, condition or function. The most familiar illustration of this process is seen in the life of a butterfly. Beginning its life as a caterpillar it crawls up on a branch in its own “death walk” and attaches itself to a leaf through the spinning creation of a cocoon. Hidden within the cocoon, the caterpillar enters into a tedious time of rebuilding…the metamorphosis process. During this process its old nature falls away and a new one - - the butterfly - - emerges. As the butterfly breaks out of the cocoon, the struggle within the process is necessary to strengthen its wings, enabling it to fly.
As Christ-followers, we must go through this same transformation process. A life-long process, it requires willingness to die to our self-will and our old way of thinking. God desires to bring us to a place of relationship and total trust, where we will come to see and know Him as He is. This is not a process built with human hands, but through unconditional surrender. Spiritual transformation is God’s primary goal for our life, as He actively and progressively shapes us into the image of Christ. His emphasis is on changing us rather then changing our circumstances. And His changes are always thorough - - affecting every aspect of our being - - our thoughts, attitudes, values and actions. It is a transformation of character at a very deep level.
Eventually we will begin to view our time, treasures and talents differently. Our eyes will gaze on new heights and our desires will lean in new directions. We are a new creation: We will learn to live as one. But how do we get there? Erwin Lutzer wrote, “The difference between worldliness and godliness is a renewed mind.” We must be diligent to search His Word, seek His guidance, cooperate with His plan and receive His correction. We must learn to crawl before we can walk and we must walk with endurance before we will have wings…strong enough to fly.
“What a caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly.” -– Richard Bach
GOING DEEPER:
1. What old ways of thinking are you holding on to that need to be surrendered to Christ?
2. Are there areas of your life that still look more like the “old caterpillar” rather then a new butterfly?
FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24; Ephesians 5:1
Karen is married to Dan and is a retired police officer who is currently a Nail Technician at Craig Berns Salon. She is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and a volunteer at the Wildlife In Need Center.
