Caterpillars and Butterflies

By Peter Crause

1John 3:2 My loved ones, now we are children of God, and at present it is not clear what we are to be. We are certain that at his revelation we will be like him; for we will see him as he is.

Within every acorn resides an oak tree. Within every seed resides the bush or tree from which the seed was derived. It is invisible to the natural eye in the present time; but given time and the necessary water and nutrients, the seed will germinate and develop into a beautiful tree or plant. Acorns will always develop into oak trees – never into elms or spruce trees. Peach seeds will never develop into plum trees. The genetics of the plant are resident in the seed, and these determine what the plant will become.

In the insect kingdom, one of the wonders to behold is the process of development of a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly. Very few creatures are as ugly as a caterpillar. They’re fat, squishy and not pretty to look at. However, in that caterpillar is hidden a beautiful creature – so unlike the caterpillar, that the transformation from one to the other is nothing short of miraculous. Metamorphosis is the process of change from one form to another; for example; the caterpillar to a butterfly; the tadpole to a frog. In the spiritual there is a metamorphosis of an ugly, sinful human being into a glorious and beautiful child of God. We are being changed into something that the entire creation is eagerly awaiting – the time of the “manifestation of the sons of God”. (Romans 8:19)

At the time of our salvation and receiving of the Holy Spirit in the indwelling relationship, a divine “seed” was planted in us – we were born-again of “incorruptible seed”. (1 Peter 1:23) Hence we can sing in truth;

Oh yes! Oh Yes!

I’m a child of the King

His Royal Blood now flows though my veins

And I who was wretched and poor now can sing

Praise God! Praise God!

I’m a Child of the King!

Our scripture reference says we are children of God NOW! This fact is forever true and unchangeable, but like the ugly caterpillar we certainly do not look like the beautiful butterfly yet. In point of fact, many times we do not even act or speak like a child of God. All the old “ugliness” is very apparent; but there is a gradual and almost imperceptible change taking place. We are little by little; day by day; being changed into the image of our Lord. A metamorphosis is taking place that will be complete when we go to be with the Lord; or at His return if we are still alive. At the revelation or appearing of Jesus we will be like Him and with Him – glorious; clothed in robes of His righteousness – His perfect bride; pure and holy; glistening with the light of heaven; shining as bright as the sun – perfected at last! Metamorphosed from the “ugly caterpillar to the beautiful butterfly”; we will forever be free from the limitations of our previous condition.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

The Lord started the transformation work in us and will complete it – hallelujah. We used to use a phrase some years ago:

Don’t give up on me; God’s not finished with me yet!

Dear ones, if you’re feeling “ugly” and like that fat old caterpillar, be assured that inside, you are being changed from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Living God. Changed into the likeness of our Lord – we shall be like Him. When we see fellow “ugly caterpillars”, use some sanctified imagination; in reality inside the image of Jesus resides – they too are being changed and will someday be like Him. In conclusion another song we used to sing some years ago:

Someday I shall be like Him!

Someday like Him,

Changed to heavenly beauty, when His face I see.

Someday I shall be like Him!

Someday like Him,

Hallelujah this wonderful promise He gives to me!

Hang in child of God – you’re beautiful on the inside. Someday we will be free from the “ugly, fat, squishy old caterpillar.”