Butterfly

Josh and I started a new class at church where we will be learning more about the Holy Spirit, who is sadly neglected or misunderstood in most Christian circles. We're reading this really good book by Francis Chan called Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit, and I'd like to share an inspiring passage from it:

     Years ago, when a random thought came into my head, I decided to share it with my wife. "Have you ever wondered what caterpillars think about?" I asked.

     Not surprisingly, she said, "No."

     I then proceeded to tell her about the confusion I imagine a caterpillar must experience. For all its caterpillar life, it crawls around a small patch of dirt and up and down a few plants. Then one day it takes a nap. A long nap. And then, what in the world must go through its head when it wakes up to discover it can fly? What happened to its dirty, plump little worm body? What does it think when it sees its tiny new body and gorgeous wings?

     As believers, we ought to experience this same kind of astonishment over becoming a "new creation" with the Spirit living in us. As the caterpillar finds its new ability to fly, we should be thrilled over our Spirit-empowered ability to live differently and faithfully. Isn't this what the Scriptures speak of? Isn't this what we've all been longing for?

Image taken by Dennis MacDonald