Chrysalis
Christian’s are a lot like Butterflies, but every butterfly must begin as a caterpillar.
Caterpillars eat and sleep. Over a period of time a caterpillar will double, and sometimes triple in size. They just eat, sleep and grow. Then one day, when they are ready, they climb into a tree or bush. They seclude themselves in a rock wall, or under a rock or old log. They build a shelter around them that hardens within hours. Then they sit. They lay in their new home, and they sleep. All of the food they have stored up begins to be used by their bodies to transform them. After months of rest and growth, they break free and spread their new wings. They crawl out of their little holes our out onto the nearest limb, and they stretch. They sit in the sun and let it dry their wings. Then, when they’re ready, they lift themselves into the air, and begin to fly. They learn to use their new wings to flutter about. They learn to gather food, and keep predators away. They show off their beautiful colours and grace the fields with their beauty.
We as Christians start out as caterpillars. We walk around, and explore the Word of God. We take it all in and learn as much as we can. We learn more than we would ever think possible, and our knowledge and wisdom doubles or triples. We grow in faith at an unimaginable rate. Then one day, we crawl into our prayer closet and shut the door. We just want to read God’s Word and speak with Him. Sooner or later the time comes that we break out of our shell. We go out on a spiritual limb and try new things. We test our new knowledge, and see just how much we know. And then we fly. We begin going out in public and try to teach people the things we have learned. We show people how beautiful Jesus is, and we are drowned in the beauty of His grace.
Like caterpillars, we have to be born a second time in order to grow and learn. It is up to us whether we remain caterpillars, or grow and spread our wings[1 Corinthians 3:1-3].
