9.20.2008

Metamorphoo...

I regularly watch an 8-year-old boy every week. Recently he was playing with a few friends while I read near by on the grass in front of his house. Suddenly they all came running up to me yelling at me to get a bug cage... oh no... what did they find?

When they got to me I was shocked and amused to find 3 boys with a multitude of caterpillars squirming all over their arms!

We safely transferred them into a bug cage, filled it with leaves, and are now anxiously waiting for them to
Metamorphose into butterflies.


Later that day I was sitting and watching the caterpillars crawl all over their container and munch away at leaves. Soon, when they have consumed enough, they will wrap themselves up into a cocoon and emerge a butterfly... it's fascinating.

In Romans 12:2, Paul says: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

The word "transformed" used in this passage
is the Greek word:
(Metamorphoo)
which is where we get our English word: Metamorphosis.

We, like the caterpillar, are instructed to Metamorphose into the image of God, that our lives, in all we say and do, reflect who Jesus is and point people to His love and transforming power. But how do we do this? To continue with the analogy of the caterpillar, we are to consume the Word of God. For by doing so, your mind will be renewed, your will, will be captive to the plans of God, and your life will be transformed.

Paul also says in 2 Corinthians 3:18 "We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." The same Greek word is being used here for "transformed".

As a caterpillar consumes the goodness of the leaves and are transformed into a butterfly, so we are to consume the goodness of the scriptures and be transformed into the image of our creator.

It can be a long process, hard, and laborious, but the outcome is beautiful, pure, and is eternally more significant.


Are you being "metamorphoo" today?

4 comments:

  1. I'm a college pastor. We're starting a series soon on Romans 12:2... being transformed. Thanks for your insights. The butterfly image is a powerful one! Keep up the great work!

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  2. can you please Metamorphoo this picture of those creepy crawlies...ick!

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  3. Hi friend. Such a sweet blessing to read this! Its so fun that the Lord can use creepy crawlies to teach us such a real lesson about Him. Blessings!

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  4. Good stuff yahyah. i'm challenged by it!

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