In the summer, I bought two Tropical Butterfly Weed plants. They are a member of the milkweed family and Monarch Butterflies are drawn to this plant (and other milkweeds) to lay eggs. I was excited to see if I would have any Monarchs come and visit and perhaps leave a deposit. But how do they know which plants are milkweeds?
But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
Job 12:7-10
The next thing I knew, there were caterpillars munching away. The Lord surely has the
life of every creature in His hands. The caterpillars know God is in control, and just like them, we do too. But so many times, we want to rely on our own methods. Our own devices. Funny how those just don’t seem to work quite as well as letting go and letting God take care of it.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
I love this verse. I have relied on these words many times in my life. My favorite part is “with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” How many times have we blurted out a “Please help me, O Lord” prayer without thinking of ALL we have to be thankful for first. When we are in the depths of despair or knee deep in needing something, we rarely think about how much we already have. But when we are thankful, I think it is easier to see God’s hand taking care of us and guarding our hearts and minds.
As with all creatures, the cycle of life unfolds, and the caterpillar makes the transition to a butterfly. As we go throughout life, we, too, need to make a transition – to be more like Christ. This lifelong process, called sanctification, is like the caterpillar, we shed one way of life and put on another. That other life reflects Christ and His character.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
The beauty of sanctification is that we don’t do it by ourselves. Just like the caterpillar relies on the milkweed plant, we have help, too. Prayer, God’s word, the Holy Spirit all play a part to make us more like Christ. The one who calls you IS faithful, and He will do it.
So get out there and live like a caterpillar. Pray, read, go to church, serve. You will find that, like the caterpillar, the transition is something quite beautiful.
Heavenly Father,
You alone are the creator of all things and your hand holds the life of every creature 
and the breath of all mankind. Let me each day be thankful of all that you have done for me; help me not be anxious, but grant me your perfect peace to guard my heart and mind. Help me grow and become more like your Son each day, and work in me to do the things that you have planned for me. Help me as I faithfully do it.
Amen
