There is no shortage of butterflies in the beautiful place where we are staying. We have even had visits from the hummingbird hawk-moth several times. This little creature behaves exactly like its namesake. Very special.
With all those butterflies around us, a beautiful spiritual comparison came to mind: from caterpillar to butterfly.
When someone is born again as a child of God, in practice it is not immediately “Hosanna, a perfect copy of Jesus.” Although that is God’s intention. For He has destined us to be conformed to His Son Jesus. This has always been God’s original plan.
He made man to be a bearer of His image here on earth (“in His image and likeness”). Unfortunately, the enemy threw a wrench in this beautiful dream of God. But through the sacrifice of Jesus, it has now become possible again.
Because the problem of sin has been solved, God can once again live in man. The Bible says that when someone surrenders his life to God, God comes to live in that person. God does not dwell in a building, but in His children, who bear His image.
The development of the life of a child of God can somewhat be compared to the image of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly.
When we look at a caterpillar, we see that it is bound to the earth. It crawls from leaf to leaf and is limited in where it can go and what it can do. In this way, it is easy prey for enemies.
The caterpillar is destined to be a butterfly, but it is not yet visible. Everything needed to become that beautiful butterfly is already present in the caterpillar.
We see the same thing in the spiritual realm. When you are born again, you receive a new spirit that is identical to Jesus. God Himself comes to dwell in you with all that He is and all that He has. This is a great miracle! But the extent to which God’s glory becomes visible in your life depends on the stage in between. The pupal stage.
The chrysalis stage is the phase of metamorphosis for the caterpillar. A change of form from within. Then what was already present in the caterpillar emerges: legs, wings, colors, a beautiful butterfly. The little creature is then no longer bound to the earth, but free and more connected to the heavenly realm. It can live in freedom above the limited natural conditions and is more resistant to enemies. It moves in its full destiny and is beautiful to behold.
We see the same thing again in the spiritual realm. Your newly born spirit, which is identical to Jesus, is in you as soon as you become a child of God. But the metamorphosis is necessary to let what is in you, Jesus, come out. To let His life flow through you and to learn to live above the limited natural circumstances in the supernatural, the victorious life.
So, what happens during a Christian’s pupal stage? Our chrysalis stage happens in the “inner room” with God. It’s about taking personal time with Him. Being deeply connected with Him by talking to God, reading His Word, and worshiping Him. That’s where our transformation happens. In our case, it’s not a one-time thing, but a constant renewal.
During this time with God, we renew our perspective and thinking to how God views things. After all, He has become our reference point. Unfortunately, our thinking and emotions are not automatically renewed when we are born again. This process is up to us to take on.
We learn to align our thoughts, feelings, and behavior with God’s thoughts. To think supernaturally and victoriously. By responding to His Word and putting it into practice, it renews us from within.
The effects of our “pupal stages” are just as phenomenal as those of the butterfly. In this way, we will rise above circumstances, limitations, mediocrity, and defeat. In this way, “the butterfly” (Jesus) will naturally be released in us to shine and be a blessing. Then we will live our true identity and what we are destined for. Praise God for His miracle!
The extent to which we renew our thinking according to God’s truth
will determine the extent to which we will walk in victory.
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