I think in many ways, we all want to be like a butterfly. I became especially observant and fond of them after my three daughters went to heaven in 2004. My youngest daughter, Jessica, always loved them which gave special meaning and connection when I’d see one. Ten years ago, a friend gave me two monarch caterpillars and some milkweed as a gift. Fascinated, I watched as the caterpillars changed into butterflies.

This summer another dear friend prompted me to raise several more monarchs. This time was different because I started with eggs and observed the entire process of metamorphosis. Spellbound and captivated, I learned things I never knew about the process and just how much our inner life is like a butterfly. In this blog, I’d like to share some insights and analogies I learned about our spiritual transformation.

The Egg (4 days)

The monarch goes through four stages to become an adult butterfly: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult (butterfly). The entire process takes 28-32 days.

To begin, the mother lays an egg on the underside of the milkweed leaf. Around day 4, a tiny black head appears as it eats its way through the shell. Less than 1/10th inch long, the fragile caterpillar is transparent pale green with no stripes. Within minutes of hatching, this little wonder returns to the empty shell, (although it does not see detail), to eat its first meal before moving on to the milkweed.

Like the little caterpillar, as baby Christians we too, are fragile and vulnerable, needing nourishment from the Word of God to grow.

Caterpillar (larva) 10-14 days

Milkweed not only helps the little caterpillar grow but also builds up toxins to keep away predators both now and after it becomes a butterfly. When the caterpillar becomes too large for its skin, it sheds it and then eats it before returning to the milkweed. This happens 5 times while it is a caterpillar. Each shedding is called an INSTAR, the first instar beginning after it hatches from its shell. During the second instar, it begins to eat more, and you will see black, yellow, and white bands that grow more distinct and vivid with each instar.

Very quickly the new larva becomes a “hungry little caterpillar”, eating as much as one leaf in 20 minutes!

Because of this, it must eliminate its waste (frass), every morning and night. When raising them at home you must make sure they have enough milkweed to eat but also clean the frass from its habitat each day or  you will a very messy butterfly home. 

Spiritual Milkweed

The Word of God is to a Christian like milkweed is to a caterpillar (1 Peter 2:2). The eggshell, milkweed, and shed skin provide nutrition for the hungry little caterpillar, just as the Word of God nurtures and sustains our life. In the same way, as the caterpillar needs milkweed to survive, the Christian needs the Word of God to thrive. 

We desperately need the spiritual toxins the Word of God creates for us against fighting the enemy of our souls. God’s Word is our armor (Eph. 6:11), essential to protect our hearts and mind from the schemes of the devil. In addition, as we read, meditate on, and put it into practice, the Word of God exposes the old thoughts, attitudes, and intentions of our hearts that will hinder our new life. (Heb. 4:12) As we grow, we too,  shed our old ways  and begin to reflect  the image of Christ and His love.

I find it interesting that it is not until the caterpillar sheds its skin that we begin to see its bright colors. Similarly, as we die to our old ways and desires, Psalm 34:5  tells us that our faces become radiant as well.

 

Chrysalis (pupa) 8-14 days

During the 5th instar, after the caterpillar finds a safe place to weave a silk mat as an anchor, it hangs in a “J” shape for about 24 hours. When ready, it extracts itself from its former skin for the last time, revealing what has been forming all along—a chrysalis.

In stillness, and unaware of its beauty, the chrysalis’ beautiful green color and gold specs reflect light and sparkle in silence. Likewise, In the stillness of our quiet seasons, unaware of our growth, the light of Christ begins to shine through us. 

 

I’ve heard that the early colonists thought the gold zipper-like rim at the top of the chrysalis resembled a King’s crown, thus naming it the “Monarch” butterfly. The Bible tells us that as we endure under trial that we too will receive a crown of life (James 1:12), often referred to as the “lover’s crown”. Love, which is the strongest force in the universe, compels us to endure hardship.

Seasons of Purpose

The chrysalis appears to have changed suddenly, when, in fact, the change was occurring all along. We too are being changed from the inside out—during every stage of our life. 

2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us that we are changed, little by little, from glory to glory, into the image of Christ. While hanging in what appears to be inactivity, profound changes are occurring for the chrysalis and also our human heart.

  • The caterpillar’s mouth is changed to eat a new way and our mouth is changed to speak a new way.
  • The caterpillar no longer has a need to crawl so its legs are changed to wings. As we wait on the Lord, we too will soar on wings like eagles, and run and not grow weary,  (Is. 40:31).
  • The caterpillar’s eyesight increases in the dark and similarly we develop spiritual eyes to see the unseen realities of Heaven (2 Cor. 4:18).
  • Just as the monarch develops reproductive organs, we too begin to bear the fruit of perseverance resulting in character to hope (Rom. 5:3-5), along with the fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).

The monarch reminds us that there is a specific purpose in every stage and season of our lives as well. God does not waste a moment of our pain or struggle because like the caterpillar, after each stage, we emerge a little different.

 

The struggle inside the chrysalis strengthens its muscles, preparing it to fly. If you try to relieve the monarch from its struggle you will only deform it and possibly abort it. Likewise, no one can take your place in your own individual struggle, uniquely conforming you to the image of Christ. As we respond to the Lord in struggle and suffering, old things die, and we are changed (2 Cor. 4:16-17).

Butterfly (Adult)

1-2 days before the adult butterfly emerges the chrysalis changes color. First dark blue/black—then transparent. Once the chrysalis is transparent, check it often. If you step out of the room, you may miss its speedy, miraculous emergence.

Suddenly, the pupa splits open and the butterfly wiggles its way out. With crinkled wings and a swollen abdomen, it pumps fluid through the vein-like vessels on its wings. In doing this the abdomen shrinks and the wings expand. Within 2-4 hours the wings are dry and it’s ready to fly!

I believe we have a few times in our own lives where we emerge to newness of life, like a butterfly. After times of dark struggle and letting go (surrender), of things that hinder us, before emerging with new freedom, we develop transparency. Open, honest, and clearly seen with nothing to hide. 

The truths we have nurtured come to fruition bringing forth newness of life. We become like the analogy of the butterfly as a beautiful stained-glass work of art emerging with more confidence, creativity, and freedom.

 

Eternal Transformation

But there’s another transformation that takes place for believers when we shed our mortal bodies. 1 Cor. 15:54 tells us that the perishable will be clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality. Death is swallowed up in the victory of the death and resurrection of Christ.

The first, second, and third-generation of butterflies live for 2-6 weeks, and the fourth generation 8-9 months, to make their migration to southern California and Mexico before their flight back north to lay eggs.

In comparison, our lives on this earth, like a butterfly, are but a vapor (James 4:14). The difference is that when we are changed—we will live forever!

 

When a monarch chrysalis appears transparent, keep your eyes open or you may miss its transformation. I did for the first five butterflies I raised because it happened so quickly. The same is true for us. Whether speaking of our day of death or Christ’s final return. Either way, it happens in the blink of an eye.

1 Cor. 15:52 tells us when speaking of the coming of Christ for His bride, that in the twinkling of an eye we shall be changed. The signs are all around us. Get ready! The butterfly’s transformation is but a glimpse of the glory we will experience when we are changed and take on immortality.

 Like a butterfly, we will depart from the reality we now know, and leave an empty shell behind. Faith will, at last, become sight, and we will be with the Lord forever! (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

 

“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). 

 

Click here to view my 3-minute video.  “From Egg to Butterfly”

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Debbie L. Mayer