Caterpillars are kind of cute. I mean, they are an ugly-cute, but there is something endearing about their unassuming nature. Yes, they can be chubby and hairy and gross, but I still enjoy watching them trudge along a branch in route to then next leaf to devour. Some, like me, find them enjoyable while others are repulsed. Regardless of which side of the fence you are on as it relates to caterpillar appreciation, the truth is, that little critter is not fully what he is designed to be. At least, not yet. Can I remind you of something? Most people aren’t either.
That little fuzzy worm on the Crepe Myrtle was made to fly. He doesn’t look like it now but that’s because he has yet to embrace the transformation for which he has been designed. It would be silly to call him a butterfly while he’s traveling at 0.002 miles per hour on the sidewalk. No matter what he is called to, until he embraces the transformational truth of the cocoon, he is only a slow moving target for the birds to find and eat (although cute and colorful). Sadly, many people who claim to know Jesus are much the same. They proclaim with their mouths what they are called to, but they have yet to embrace the transformational truth of the Gospel of Jesus the Messiah, through the power of the Holy Spirit, for the delight of the The Father. (Apparently I like caterpillars. Click here to read my post “Don’t Fall In Love With Caterpillars”)
Can You Really Fake It ‘Till You Make It?
How does this happen? It happens when we make claims about our relationship with God that have no basis in transformation. The Gospel of Jesus is not something we add to our lives. That would be like gluing wings onto a caterpillar. We’re not fooling anyone when we do that except, maybe, ourselves. The enemy loves to try and make us feel that these “fake wings” are the Christian life and we have somehow come into the Kingdom of God because of the things we have added to our life like prayer, church attendance or Bible reading. No, transformation happens at the cross when we deny ourselves, allow God to address our nature, and we invite His Spirit to take control. You cannot fake it because it is so completely “other” that no cheap substitute will fool anyone, except maybe those of us who prefer to be fooled?
Jesus does not come into our lives to cohabitate with our preferences. He doesn’t accommodate our flesh nature. He comes to make all things new. He invites us to the cross, to die to ourselves, and go through the transformation of living in darkness to walking in the light. That is a choice we make, not a feeling we have, or a mental/spiritual ascension… it’s a choice. We choose Him and His way through taking up our cross to follow Him into the newness of life. This is why we can have compassion on those around us who struggle with living in darkness because that is who we were, as well! However, we do not stay there. (Click here to read my post, “The Goldilocks Gospel”)
All Things Made New
Embrace the transformational truth that Jesus did not come to simply save you from your sin. He came to make you into a new creation! Don’t fear the transformation. Embrace it. That involves dying to our old nature and becoming someone and something new in Him! There is beauty to radiate and heights to fly to as you become who you can be in Him! (Click here to read my post, “Recalibrating Your Vision”)
How do you do that? Quit demanding that you can glue wings on yourself and be a butterfly. Humbly submit to the great God of love who has revealed Himself throughout the centuries through His Word, His Work in the lives of people and His World that reflects the beauty of His creation. In doing so the transformational truth of the Gospel will become more compelling, easier to trust, and more hopeful than you could ever imagine! Want to know how to do that? Email me here.
From The Bible
Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ESV
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. – Matthew 16:24-25 ESV