How would it go? What would you say? Is there any way you could possibly communicate to a fat little slug of a creature that has spent its entire existence permanently attached to some fixture of nature (be it leaf, tree or soil) that it is, in fact, destined for greatness? That it will sprout majestic wings of color and soar over what it once was bound to? That after a season of immobility, shedding of skin and patient waiting...it will rebirth into newness of life?
What do you think would be the caterpillar's response?
"Impossible." "I'm afraid of heights." "I'm happy with my leaf." "You're crazy." "A bird flies. I don't look like a bird."
I'm sure you can guess where I am going. Is this not nature illustrating clearly what the Lord has spoken to us? We tell Him we know who we are, He tells us our identity is hidden in Him. We tell Him we're bound, He tells us He will set us free. We tell Him our fears, He tells us we'll rise above them with His strength. We tell Him we have spent our whole existence with one experience, He tells us our minds cannot conceive what He has for those who love Him.
This is what I am experiencing.
In more ways than one, but for now I will just address the most obvious: The Lord has called me to become a wife. He has painted a picture through His Word of what that looks like, and I say back, "God, you must be joking. I can't do that. You're crazy."
I am selfish. I have fears. I want to control everything and have everything the way I want it. I don't want to be vulnerable, I want to be served. I want life to be the expectation I imagine it to be. I want to pretend I am blind to my own pride, faults and that I know myself best.
I am selfish. I have fears. I want to control everything and have everything the way I want it. I don't want to be vulnerable, I want to be served. I want life to be the expectation I imagine it to be. I want to pretend I am blind to my own pride, faults and that I know myself best.
But in such a beautiful depiction of becoming the ultimate Bride, the Lord has been sweetly reminding me that when I walk down the aisle, He will be what adorns me with greatness. He gives me a vision only to remind me of His capability, His beauty, and His miraculous grace that will enable me to fulfill it.
It is no accident that nature provides such an obvious display of the spiritual work inside us. We cry out to Him for signs and wonders, but do we ever stop and really notice the wonder of what He has already given us? The natural world we live in with its stories of life and death, creation and redemption, growth and metamorphosis? Where does that come from? Creation is not created without a purpose. Do we really believe that we are immune to the Lord taking us through the same natural processes in our lives with Him?
It is no accident that nature provides such an obvious display of the spiritual work inside us. We cry out to Him for signs and wonders, but do we ever stop and really notice the wonder of what He has already given us? The natural world we live in with its stories of life and death, creation and redemption, growth and metamorphosis? Where does that come from? Creation is not created without a purpose. Do we really believe that we are immune to the Lord taking us through the same natural processes in our lives with Him?
Lord, I am a caterpillar. Familiar and accustomed to my way of life, however far off it may be from what You have waiting for me. I don't believe it exists, but I believe You know better than I. Make me new. Immobilize me so You can work. and thank you for Your peace in the process. Amen.