Several years ago, the Lord used me to develop a small study for a ladies conference. The theme was transformation, and the key verse was:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. -Romans 12:2

 

This term, along with scripture, has been a frequent reminder these past couple weeks. I thought I would go ahead and share that study for this week’s devotion. May this stir to encourage us to be sanctified through the Word. As believers, we are now a new creation in Christ. 

MORPHING

God’s word says to not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed or changed by the renewing of our minds to align our minds to the unchanging will of God. I cannot ask you guys to do something without doing it myself. When I look at the keywords the word that stands out to me is morphing or metamorphosis. Morphing makes me think of the transformation we see in God’s creation around us. That is because they are designed to obey God, and they naturally transform to what He designed them to be. 

In my search for a metaphor to compare things of nature to our transformations, I initially wanted to gravitate towards the tree. I was stuck on what God was wanting me to do with a tree, but it turns out He didn’t want to me use the tree after all. While I was researching and looking for the creation transformations arounds us, the headline, “How caterpillars gruesomely transform into butterflies” caught my eye. Then God whispered, so many of us view transformation as a lovely and beautiful process, but it is far from it.  Let’s go through the morphing process together.

First comes the caterpillar or larva from the egg, and this caterpillar comes with appetite and stuffs itself with leaves as it grows little by little. Feeding, then growing, feeding, then growing, feeding, then growing. I read this and thought of the new Christian, who hatches from the constriction of sin with an impetuous appetite to grow and learn more. Then the caterpillar must molt or shed as it is growing – not once, not twice, but at least five times. You see there are these pauses in growth where the caterpillar must shed off the old to make room for the new.    

After the caterpillar has went through molting it is now ready to cocoon itself to a twig, leaf, or BRANCH. While in the cocoon the caterpillar must go through the gruesome phase, in which the caterpillar has a delay in the metamorphosis process and each cell is programed to self-destruct. Yes, the caterpillar must destroy or breakdown itself to continue through the morphing process. This activation of the self-destructing enzyme gives opportunity for the enzymes to breakdown the proteins in the cells and in turn releases the material needed to form a butterfly. All this is done in perfect timing and sequence so that the morphing does not kill the caterpillar.The transformation to the butterfly begins once the caterpillar has completely disintegrated its former self to the point it has only left the rich, pure proteins. The rich, pure material that is left enables rapid cell division in the cocoon. Thus, a miraculous transformation changes the disintegrated caterpillar soup into each part of the butterfly. When each part is pieced together and completely formed, the butterfly breaks free from its cocoon. Morphed from the former self, the lowly caterpillar is now a beautiful, majestic, soaring butterfly.

Which phase of the transformation can you relate to the most, at this time?

Phase 1: The hungry, hungry caterpillar.

Phase 2: The shedding caterpillar, making room to grow more.

Phase 3: The caterpillar hanging from a branch to cocoon itself.

Phase 4: The caterpillar who is self-destructing, getting down to the pure stuff.

Phase: 5 The formation from the pure stuff to butterfly material.

Maybe you are the hungry caterpillar that is searching, seeking, and feeding yourself on the Word of God. The one who is crying out for nourishment to grow into the full experience of your salvation. The caterpillar who comes to realize that they must come to Jesus continually to obtain contentment. They see that enjoyment, fulfillment, and satisfaction comes from finding life and unfailing love through Jesus Christ.

Could you be in a phase of shedding of old to make room for new growth? Are you learning the importance of shedding sins and transgressions that hinder the growing process? The caterpillar that has been growing and growing, but now is in the phase of moving forward to further their understanding and maturing spiritually. The phase that has you go from the babe on milk to the adult who grows on meat. The adult who exercises their sense of discernment between right and wrong, that has been gifted by the grace of God.

Could you be in that phase of seeing the desperate need of the branch to hold and grow you further? The connection of Jesus Christ who is the nourisher, the provider, the comforter, the stabilizer and balancer, the one in whom all trust should be in during their time of waiting and transforming. Are you in a phase of life that seems like a stand still? Where God is telling you slow down and remember me the one who is allowing the growth, allowing such transformation.  A phase in which you are reminded that if you do not rely on the Branch, there will be hinderance in the growth and potential for no reproduction of future butterflies.

Maybe you are the protected, transforming caterpillar who is relying on the Branch solely to hold you and be a foundation for you as you allow the transformation to take place? The one who has fully surrendered their all to the Branch to enable the process to continue. The caterpillar who knows now it is time for it to no longer be a caterpillar, but fully deny oneself, to replace their former identity into the identity that reflects Jesus’ image. This phase will be a time of being aware and see the trials, tribulation, pain and suffering around them, but they are focused on the unseen, the promise and reward of their enduring.  For them to know that what they are enduring now will not last forever, that they trust in the transformation. The transformation that they must be crucified of their old self and be filled with the renewing of Christ that is in them. This phase can be time of reflection on fully contemplating and appreciating the allowance of being born again, so that we are seen righteous in God’s eyes from what Jesus has done already.

Could you be, or hope to be in the butterfly phase of formation? Could you be in the phase where the Formulator is ready to mold and shape you with the materials that are left?  This is a phase that has done away with the old and is instead placing on the new nature that God has been creating in them since the beginning.  This phase they see that God has done a new thing in them and that it has flourished because God has said “I have already begun!”.  In this is a phase that cannot be doubted or twisted by the enemy, because Jesus says this new that is springing forth is true and must be written.  So, come on butterfly and do not dwell on the past life of being a caterpillar, and embrace the new life that has begun.

THE DIFFERENCE IS CHOOSING

I began this study with word study, bible searching, metaphorical comparison, but then the returning words of change and choice echo in my mind. As we reflect on the creational aspects of the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly, what we must put into account is that this metamorphosis happens because God designs and wills it to do so. God has designed us in His image and gave us dominion over the earth that was intended to be good and sinless, with Him above it all. Then sin was introduced with an unfortunate choice made in the garden. 

The result of sin is void that can only be filled by reconciling with God. This drives us to find something bigger than us, however, when many come to find it is God Himself they become cautious and bewildered on what is next. He allows us to choose His Way which includes life, love, and transformation or our way that is temporal and leads to death. Ultimately with this decision we will either allow God to change us from the inside out, to allow transformation that will eventually let us understand love and its overwhelming power. Or we will choose to be stuck, choosing to not be transformed, and focus on not changing ourselves. All while attempting to change God’s unchanging Word to adapt to us. When we do this, we are blinding ourselves from the truth and sinking deeper and deeper into the pit. God’s Word has scripture on refusing change, choosing to change, and ultimately going through the change for good reason.  God makes it very evident in His Word that we will be experiencing one or more of these areas in this life He has gifted us.

REFUSING CHANGE

The refusal of change can be seen two ways: refusing the Lord or accepting the Lord but refusing to change.  The Bible clearly says to the ones who refuse the Lord leads to death. Romans 6 explains how sin’s power is broken through Jesus Christ and in verse 23 it says, For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. There are two options: to sin and go to hell or make the choice of eternal life that is gifted by God through Jesus Christ. When this step of faith has been done, there is a transformation already taking place by the Holy Spirit that now dwells within from accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

The transformation will include conviction to change behavior, and a renewed way of thinking that aligns with God’s Word. What is crucial is God’s Word, after we make the choice to accept Jesus we must continue to read, listen, pray and study God’s Word to reveal areas that need transformation in our lives. When we refuse to take these steps to change, God will guide us the hard way or the less hard way to get us back to Him so that the transformation can continue as He has started in us on the day of salvation. When we refuse to be molded by the Creator what use are we to Him? He designed us for purpose and our purpose is in His hands. When we do not allow God to change us we will not change. Without change how can we be useful to the One who is wanting to continue this process in us?

READ ISAIAH 29:16; ISAIAH 30:8-15; ISAIAH 45:9-12

What is God telling His chosen people about questioning His ways of forming and molding?

What happens to the ones who refuse to be shaped and transformed into the pottery that is useful to Him? Read 2 Timothy 2:12-26 and consider the making of an “honorable vessel”.

CHOOSING TO CHANGE

The first step to choosing change is to realize that we are flawed and sinful creatures that need a Savior. In the beginning, when sin was introduced God knew we wouldn’t be able to conquer sin on our own. God planned for Jesus long ago, as told in Genesis 3:15, to come and defeat sin by stepping on the head of the enemy and overcoming sin by dying on the cross and rising from the dead three days later. He who was worthy enough to be a sacrifice whose blood would cover all sins, we need only to accept Him. For us to be freed from sin we must confess, believe, and then receive.  

Read Romans 10:9-13

What are the initial steps in choosing to change?

Read Galatians 5:24-25

Now what are the next steps?

Read Isaiah 29:22-24

What does God say will happen to the redeemed?

GOING THROUGH THE CHANGE

What many may not consider when they choose to allow God to change them, is the fact that going through the change isn’t “all rainbows and butterflies”.  Yes, the punt was intended in this case. Change isn’t easy it at times can be gruesome, hence the reason so many do not want to endure or go through it. I never would want some one to come to know the Lord thinking that when they accept Him in their hearts that everything gets magically better. It is a process that each believer must endure to grow in His righteousness day by day. Going through the change that God wants to do in us can sometimes be painful, but the end results are so worth the journey.

 God calls us to place on our new nature that He has allowed through Jesus Christ, and to be renewed as we grow and learn more about Him and become like Him (Colossians 3:10).  We are still living in a very evil and tempting world around us, and the enemy is out to make sure we do not change for God’s glory. In God’s Word it tells us that we are instructed to turn from sinful pleasures and godless lives, and we are to live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God (Titus 2:12).  The amazing thing about going through the change is that God never leaves you. He is with you each step of the way guiding you on which way to go in each transition in your life.  The change can be painful because God must deal with the sin in our lives before we can be ready to go to the next phase. We must die of our old selves, be cleansed, purified, and made new. This process isn’t easy and fast, it is hard and takes time depending on how quickly we submit and allow it to happen. Sin must be removed to allow more room for Holy Spirit to dwell, guide, cultivate, and transform from the inside out.

Read Titus 3:5

What does salvation do in us to allow us to change? 

Read Isaiah 30:20-21; 43:13

What hope is given in these scriptures when we are enduring change in our life?

My prayer to whoever may read this, is that transformation will be evident in your life. That you will transform and renew your minds to align with the Word of God. That you will allow God to continue with what He has already begun since He gifted His Son, and since what He started on the day of your salvation. If you are not saved, I pray that the Word of God speaks by softening your heart to crave for the start of transformation. That you will accept and fully submitting to Jesus, giving your life entirely to Him, and allow that change to take place. I ask Jesus to bring encouragers, teachers, mentors, and prayer warriors in your life so that you may be strengthened and pushed to continue when enduring the transformation that He is doing in your life. Again, I say isn’t easy but so worth it. This is a life changing decision to decide to follow Jesus, to fully submit to the change He wants to do in you, and to allow Him to transform you into His likeness. It is the most important decision you will ever make.