This caterpillar has been hanging out on my parsley for several days. They are sometimes called parsley caterpillars. Soon, it will form it’s cocoon, and emerge as an eastern black swallowtail butterfly. It’s going to be fun to watch the transformation. I’m eagerly awaiting the beautiful butterfly that will appear.
Yes, this caterpillar is eating my parsley right now. It’s not going to make a dent though. My parsley is the size of a shrub, so there’s plenty to spare. It will be worth it to have a butterfly that is both gorgeous, and useful to help with pollinating. I wonder if this little creature knows what’s coming.
If he knew he was about to get some amazing wings, maybe he would hurry into his cocoon.
I feel like this caterpillar at times. Completely content with where I’m at. Just hanging out and thinking everything is just fine. I don’t want God to shake things up by putting me in a cocoon. That sounds terrible. Can’t I just hang out and eat parsley all day with sunshine on my back?
God won’t allow me to stay where I’m at. He sees things I cannot. God knows everything, and knows what going into the cocoon will do for me. God wants me to get those beautiful wings and fly.
When we accept Jesus Christ as our savior, that’s just the beginning. God wants us to be like Jesus. Live like Him. Love like Him. Forgive like Him. Follow the Father like Him.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, NIV)
“Do not conform 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.” (Romans 12:2, NIV)
“Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:6, NIV)
Yes I want to be more like Jesus, but that’s a tall order. On my own, that’s impossible.
This transformation happens through the power of the Holy Spirit in each believer. I have zero ability to become like Jesus in my own strength. It would be phony. A fully surrendered life to Jesus brings that transforming power.
We get saved by grace through faith in Jesus, and then He begins to work on us. Clean us up. Heal us. Set us free. It’s not easy work though. It can be quite painful. There are times when we have to go into the cocoon and wait, and be transformed.
We get impatient. Restless. It’s too hard. We try to break out of the cocoon too early.
When we trust God and His transforming work in us, we get the most lovely wings. We end up a little more like Jesus each time. There will be lots of cocoons in our lifetimes before we end up in the ultimate glorious place, heaven.
He’s changing us. So hold on to Him. Be patient and trust the tramsformative work He is doing.
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NASB)
Beautifully written! Love this. Thank you, Meghan. 💗
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Thank you Wendy! And please thank Nicole for the encouragement. Great minds think a like. 😉
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Great post and picture, Meghan! How are you and your peeps doing? Love and blessings!
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Thanks Mandy! We are doing well. Staying healthy by the grace of God. I’m so grateful. How are you?
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We are doing alright. It’s now mandated for us to wear masks when we are out in public, I am still trying to wrap my mind around everything! Thank you for asking!
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Wow. That would be a challenge for me since I don’t have a mask and I’m not sure where you can even get one. I did see the CDC is recommending everyone wear masks when they are out. But, we aren’t required here, yet. It is a lot to wrap our heads around. We keep trusting in the one who has us.
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Amen! You can use a scarf or a bandana. I’m not a sewer but they have scarf patterns online.
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Good to know. A friend from my small group at church has been sewing masks for the past couple weeks and donating them to a local hospital. If I feel the need for masks, I might ask for her help. Praying for your health, safety, and sanity!
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I love this thank you Meghan!!
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Thank you for your kindness. God bless!
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I like this… I think we are all in a cocoon right now… this pandemic! Some of us will come out transformed for the better. Others, sadly not. And I love the gospel connection. 🙂
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I agree. I’m praying that I’m in the come out better group. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate it.
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