Today’s Daily Bread ~ Butterflies

Psalm 144:1 – Bless the LORD, who is my rock.  He gives me strength for war and skill for battle.

My kids and I were out with the stroller the other day.  We had no particular destination.  Nick was riding comfortably and Caitlyn was “helping” me push.  All of the sudden, she shrieked and ran about ten feet into a field.

“Mommy!!  Butterfly!!”  Sure enough, a beautiful yellow, black and white butterfly was flitting around. 

Nick and I followed Caitlyn to get a closer look.  Our new friend, sensing its admirers, stopped down to let us gaze upon its splendor.

“Isn’t God amazing?” I asked my children.  “He’s so creative.  There are over twenty-THOUSAND species of butterflies in the world!”  Caitlyn and Nick stared at me, marveling at a number that reached beyond their comprehension.

A minute or two later, the butterfly flitted off, and the kids and I moved on.

I was listening to one of the Christian talk radio stations later that night as I got ready for bed.  The pastor speaking was telling a story about a butterfly, and I want to share it with you.

A man was working in his yard one day, when he came across what he believed to be a cocoon.  He looked at it in fascination, and then went on with his work.

Over the course of the next few days, he would check back on it periodically, hoping to see the new creature emerge.  Finally, he noticed a small hole.  As he watched, the butterfly began to slowly work its way out of the cocoon.

After a few minutes it stopped. The man waited about fifteen minutes, then, concerned for the butterfly, went inside to fetch a tiny pair of nail scissors.  With a surgeon’s precision, he snipped a line in the cocoon, and gently pulled it apart.

The butterfly emerged with a swollen body and shriveled wings.  What the man did not know was this: God specifically designed both the butterfly and the cocoon for a purpose.  As a butterfly pushes and struggles against the walls of the cocoon, fluid is pushed out of its body and into its wings.  The butterfly is strengthened through the adversity.  It is only after it works its way out that it is strong enough to survive in the outside world.  With only the best of intentions, the man had robbed the butterfly of the chance to survive and thrive.  It died shortly after.

Psalm 144:2 – He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my deliverer.  He stands before me as a shield, and I take refuge in Him.  He subdues the nations under me.

As a runner, I know that in order to go faster and farther, I have to push myself out of my comfort zone.  It’s only when my legs are crying out in agony that I am gaining strength and endurance.  A body builder consistently seeks to challenge his muscles using increasing weight.  He pushes himself to a place where muscles shake and sweat pours down.  It’s then that he knows he is adding mass to his body.

Why do we fear the trials so much? So many of us stay inside our warm, fuzzy little comfort zone.  A place for everything and everything in its place, and when something is moved we fall apart.

Notice the way King David describes God: “My loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my deliverer.”  David had that kind of trust and confidence in the Lord because he had been through some storms, and God had seen him safely through.  Nations had come against David, and God had subdued them while he watched.

Spiritual growth comes from seeking and trusting in God.  We’re strengthened as we climb the hills and fight our way through adversity.  Imagine how our light would shine if we viewed challenges and valleys as opportunities to watch God work.  What a witness to the rest of the world!  God is faithful to keep His promises, but His thoughts are not like ours, and His ways are far beyond that which we can imagine (Isaiah 55:8-9).  If you are going through a storm, know this:  He is with you.  He will comfort you.  He will never forsake you.  He is strengthening you.  It will pass, and if you allow it, you will grow closer and closer to God.

Dear Heavenly Father, we know that Your thoughts and Your ways cannot be comprehended.  We know that, in this life, we may never understand why You do things the way You do.  But we know that You love us beyond our capacity to imagine.  And we know that You are good, and that You alone are worthy of our praise.  Please let us feel Your Presence through life’s storms.  Please shine a light for us in the dark.  God, allow us to see the situation from a heavenly perspective.  Bring us to a place in our faith where we eagerly draw close to You in difficult times, knowing that You are our shield and our tower of safety.  In periods of calm waters and blessing, let us seek out others to comfort, being the hands and feet of Christ.  We thank You for Your Son, and the unfathomable love poured out through the work on the cross.  Let us never take it for granted, God.  We love You so much; help us to love You more.  We trust You, Father, increase our trust.  Multiply our faith exponentially, and empower us to boldly share it with others.  We ask these things in the beautiful name of Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  Amen.