Articles
Prepare For Takeoff
by Anonymous
Children usually study the amazing life cycle of butterflies sometime
during the elementary grades. They marvel as they watch the worm-like
caterpillar disappear into a dead-looking chrysalis and finally emerge
as a beautiful butterfly. How many of us keep this childhood wonder
and go on to discover lessons for life as we learn more about these
fascinating creatures?
The transformation
from caterpillar.to adult is truly an amazing feat. Metamorphosis
is a complex process involving very precisely
tuned chemical changes (see Think and Believe, July/Aug, 1~90). When
the caterpillar enters the chrysalis stage, it is totally changed
as it prepares for takeoff. Special chemicals break down the old
substances and new ones are formed. The old caterpillar disappears
and a "rebirth" takes place as the beautiful butterfly
emerges. Though technically having the same genetic make-up, it is
a very different creature with a radically new lifestyle. Analogously, "If
any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed
away; behold, new
things have come." (II Cor. .5:17) Have you experienced this
radiCal, life-changing transformation?
The feeding
habits of caterpillars are extremely different from those of butterflies.
While caterpillars generally have strong jaws
for feeding on plants or other insects, adult butterflies have a
long, coiled tube, the proboscis, which is used in sucking juices
from flowers. At the upper end of the proboscis is a hollow bulb
which expands as the muscles contract, lowering the pressure in the
bulb. The outside air pressure forces the nectar up the tube. Has
your "diet" changed since you became a Christian? Are you
feeding daily on the sweet nectar of God's Word?
The eyesight of butterflies is also much changed from that of caterpillars.
Caterpillars have six small eyes on each side of the head which apparently
enable them to tell light from dark. Butterflies, however, have very
sophisticated compound eyes, consisting of thousands of separate
lenses. They apparently have good eyesight and color vision. How
has your vision changed since becoming a Christian?
Caterpillars destroy millions of dollars worth of valuable crops
whereas butterflies usually perform a useful function being vitally
important in pollinating fruit trees. Are you actively involved in
useful service in the Kingdom of God?
Indeed, butterflies give us a powerful reminder of who we are in
Christ. Are you using your flying wings?
Source:
Alpha Omega Institute
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