Butterflies

Yesterday my daughter and I did a butterfly craft. It was really easy; made with a coffee filter, painted clothes pin, pipe cleaner and googly eyes. He is missing two of his legs as she wanted to play with him before he was dry!

To Christians the butterflies life cycle can be symbolic of the three stages in the life cycle of Christ and the Christian.

The caterpillar's non stop eating reminds us of the normal earthly life of mankind where we are preoccupied with taking care of our physical needs. The chrysalis or cocoon resembles the tomb and the butterfly represents the resurrection into new and glorious life free of material concerns and restrictions. The butterfly can soar!

For the Christian the caterpillar can represent our life in sin, the cocoon time spent in contemplative study and searching for truth and the butterfly when we become born again in Christ. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come!" I Corinthians 5:17. (NIV)

The butterfly can represent the victory of eternal life over death. I Corinthians 15:51-52 Paul writes, "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed- in a flash, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." (NIV)

The butterfly is a symbol of a change for the better.

Dear God,

I know I have fallen short on Your plans for my life. I have gone after my own selfish gains, grumbled and complained, forgetting all of the sacrifices You have made for me. My life is not my own, as You have paid for it in the life of Christ Jesus. Search my heart and if there is anything in word, thought or deed that is not in accordance with Your will reveal it to me so that I may confess and be rid of it. Thank You for saving me. Thank You for the life of Jesus that was given for me. May I daily be conformed and transformed to Your will for my life. In Jesus Name, Amen

2 Corinthians 3:18 "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (NIV)

Romans 12: 2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." (NIV)

Please pray for my neighbors husband- he had back surgery a month ago and is still in pain. He is concerned for his job. His wife, my friend covets your prayers for healing.