During a recent afternoon with a friend, we happened upon a gorgeous garden. She offered to pull over to the side of the road so that I could jump out and take some photos.

I always seem to connect with God best through nature. Knowing this about me, she frequently indulges my “need” to capture His beauty in photos.

As I hopped out of her car, ran across the busy street, and got up close to the garden to snap a few pictures, there were butterflies everywhere. We hadn’t initially seen them when we glanced at the garden from across the street but were delighted by their surprise presence as we got up close.

There were tens of butterflies flitting from one bloom to another all over the garden. As I stood there speechless, amazed at the beauty of God’s creation, it reminded me of the often painful, yet beautiful process God takes us through as He changes us to make us more like Him.

Butterflies don’t start out beautiful. Have you ever looked at a caterpillar before it goes through the transformation process? They are not beautiful at all. In fact, they remind me a bit of an awkward acne-prone teenager trying to figure out where they fit in the pecking order of creation.

The transformation process

In the process of transformation, the caterpillar has to surrender itself to a force much greater than itself. It must go through the pain of shedding its old self before a beautiful butterfly emerges, ready to spread its wings and fly.

Have you ever felt like that? Unsure where you fit, what your purpose was, or if you’d ever live up to your calling?

Preparing for something new

I’ve been there. For years I knew my purpose, knew my gifts and talents, and knew how I contributed to my community and the kingdom. Then the day came when God made it clear that the old was done and it was time to prepare for something new.

4 Steps to Transformation

  1. Let go of the old and certain
  2. Hold on to what we know to be true (God is faithful, and He never starts something He doesn’t finish!)
  3. Surrender to God’s greater purpose
  4. Wait for God to work and will His way, transforming our hearts and lives into what He desires for the future.

I found the waiting period painful.

Let go and fly free!

As the caterpillar transforms into a beautiful butterfly, it must let go of what it knew and surrender to God’s greater purpose as it lives up to its fullest potential, beautiful and free.

I remember times when I held on so tight to what I knew, unwilling to let go of what was sure in exchange for faith in the promise of what could be. It only served to delay the joy that was promised.

Will you let go of what is no longer serving you, and fly free in all God has for you? It might surprise and delight you, just as the butterfly-filled garden did for me.

Because of Him, #HopePrevails

Have you ever felt unsure of where you fit, what your purpose was, or if you’d ever live up to your calling? I have. In these four steps to transformation, I let go of the old and embraced the new. #faith #HopePrevails

 

Related Reading:

The Pain in Change

There is pain in change. You can surrender to the process or fight it.

 

How To Not Give Up In Difficult Times

Are you facing circumstances that have turned your life upside down and sideways? Don’t give up! There is hope! #encouragement #faith #hope

 

 

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