New and Improved

 “See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare…” (Isaiah 42:9)

So, my wife and I are butterfly farmers. Purely amateur, mind you – we don’t have USDA certification or anything like that. But over the past three years we have released over 200 monarch butterflies, and about 75 black swallowtail butterflies. And so we consider ourselves farmers of sorts.

The overall process of attracting the mother butterflies, nurturing the caterpillars, providing them with a space to form their chrysalises, and then releasing the newly-emerged butterflies takes several weeks from start to finish (even longer in the case of some of the black swallowtails, which sometimes remain in their chrysalis through the winter, emerging when the warm weather of spring returns).

Over the years, I have taken countless photos (surprise!), and have even managed to capture the process of the caterpillars pupating into a chrysalis, as well as the moment they emerge. IMO, it’s really cool. You can watch the videos by clicking on this link and this link.

It is an amazing thing to consider the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. Even though the DNA of the caterpillar is identical to the DNA of the butterfly that emerges from the chrysalis, nobody would ever claim that the caterpillar and the butterfly are identical. Indeed, the butterfly is completely new and different from the caterpillar. The butterfly can never go back to being a caterpillar.

When I consider the amazing transformation that results in the creation of a butterfly, I can’t help but being reminded that our God is all about the business of making all things new. God is all about redemption and renewal.

“...new things I declare”

“See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare,” says the Lord (Isaiah 42:9). You and I may be prone to letting the past drag us down. Our failures haunt us. We dwell on the things that have wounded us. We let our regrets weigh us down. It’s understandable that we are like this, because in a sense the past is the only reality that we know – the future hasn’t been defined yet.

Only, we do have a future. God has a wonderful plan for us. God doesn’t dwell on our past like we do. Indeed, God sees not what we have done or been, but what we will become by the transforming power of his grace and love. “I know the plans I have for you,” to quote an overly-quoted verse of the Bible, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future” (that’s Jeremiah 29:11, but you probably already knew that). 

By the grace of God, you and I do not have to let the past weigh us down. We are no longer defined by the mistakes we have made and the ways that we have fallen short; we are defined by the infinite steadfast love of God which never ceases, a love that declares to us, “whoever is in Christ is a new creation – the old has gone, and the new has come”! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

It might just be me, but I happen to think that, even though the caterpillar looks pretty cool, the butterfly that emerges from the chrysalis is infinitely more amazing and beautiful. 

If God will do that with a caterpillar, just think of what God will do with you and me.

Butterflies and Faith, Part 3

“After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…” (Revelation 7:9)

Jesus said, “ I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven...” (Matthew 8:11)

Have I told you that I love butterflies? Of course I have.

Have I told you that butterflies reflect some wonderful things about my faith? Of course I have.

Have I told you that butterflies remind me of new life? Or that the level of detail on butterflies reminds me that each of us, too, is a masterpiece created by God? Of course I have.

So let me tell another way that butterflies provide me with insight into my faith in God: the sheer variety of butterflies is mind-boggling.Scientifically, butterflies are part of the large order, “Lepidoptera,” which includes numerous subgroups; and all lepidoptera share a basic common anatomy (e.g., antennae, three-part body, compound eyes, forewings, hindwings, proboscis, etc), and so on a certain level they are the same. But scientific categories aside, I marvel at the diversity of butterflies (and moths -- they, too, fascinate me, at least when they're not eating my sweaters): size, color, shape, body characteristics, wing design… It really is amazing.

I have kept a list of the kinds butterflies and moths that I have spotted in my backyard in the past five months alone; I have chronicled 26 different kinds (If you want, send me a message on Facebook or Instagram (@revshw), and I will provide you with the detailed list). 

Every variety is beautiful and fascinating. Every variety.

It makes me wonder, If I am amazed at the sheer variety of butterflies (and moths), and I marvel at the diversity I see, then why do I consider the diversity of God’s human creation differently? Why do I look with suspicion at humans who are unfamiliar to me, or who have different skin color, or who are shaped differently than what we might consider to be “normal”?

Shouldn’t I look at every different human being and rejoice at the inherent beauty? Of course I should. So should you. All of us should.

My appreciation for the variety of butterflies reminds me that I need to appreciate the diversity of human beings that inhabit the earth. After all, not only do we have the same basic anatomical and biological characteristics, but even more, we’re all created in the image of God.

Jesus said, “Many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” When he said that, he was driving home the point that citizenship in the kingdom is larger than most of us thinks it is; it includes us, but it includes way more than us. It even includes people you and I might think unworthy of being in the kingdom.

In the Revelation of John, John is given a vision (presumably by God) of every nation, and all tribes, peoples and languages. As the little children’s song reminds us, “Red and yellow, black and white. They are precious in His sight.”

And if they are precious in the sight of our Lord, shouldn’t they be precious in our sight, as well?

When it comes to appreciating and valuing the sheer diversity that we find in the human race, I know I can do better.

We can do better.

We have to do better.

Butterflies and Faith, part 2

Butterflies and Faith, part 2.

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.” (Matthew 6:28-29)

“I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works.” (Psalm 139:14)

I like butterflies.

But you know that already, at least if you have read this blog or followed me on Instagram (@revshw) or Facebook. 

Butterflies reflect some wonderful things about my faith. For one thing, butterflies are a beautiful reminder of new life in Christ. I might have already told you that.

Butterflies also remind me that God is a detail-oriented God. Very detail-oriented.

When they are flying or flittering from flower to flower, it’s hard to appreciate the detail of their beauty. But when I capture them in a photo, I am amazed at how intricately designed – decorated, really – the butterflies really are. Every line, every circle, every dot, every swirl is wonderfully painted onto the butterfly by a Master Artist. 

Even the bottom of the wing is different from the top of the wing. 

Jesus spoke of the beauty of the lilies of the field, unmatched by even the most glorious human design. If I were to expand upon Jesus’ teaching (not that Jesus’ teaching ever needs expanding upon), I would point out the same truth with butterflies. Solomon’s most fabulous clothing could never hold a candle to the beauty and glory of the butterflies.

Butterflies are fearfully and wonderfully made. They are beautifully and individually created by God. 

So are you. So am I.

You see, there isn’t a single detail in our being that doesn’t have the imprint of the Creator. You are a masterpiece, intricately designed for beauty and purpose by God. If God cares enough to provide for the beauty of butterflies, don’t you think God cares about you?

Of course he does. God cares deeply about you, infinitely deeper than you can possibly imagine.

So the next time you look at a butterfly and consider its beauty, consider this also: You are a beautiful, fearfully and wonderfully made masterpiece. Every detail of your being has the touch of the Master.

Butterflies and Faith, Part 1

“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

So, if you follow me on Instagram (@RevSHW) or Facebook you will probably have some inkling that I like butterflies. Maybe it’s because I have posted 46 pictures of butterflies and moths in the past four months. Though no one says it directly to me, I’m pretty sure that some of y’all wish I would move on from butterflies to something else.

But I can’t. 

Because I am fascinated with butterflies (and moths, as long as they are outside the house and not eating my clothes).

Butterflies are beautiful.

And butterflies reflect some wonderful things about my faith. On this post, I will share one of the chief truths of which butterflies constantly remind me: New life.

Butterflies (and moths, too) don’t begin as butterflies. They begin as eggs, which hatch as caterpillars, which form chrysalises; and the creature that emerges from the chrysalis is a beautiful butterfly. 

I mean, how awesome is it that God takes something that looks like this: 

Black Swallowtail caterpillars. Younger ones on the right; mature on the left.

...and transforms it into something like this:

Just a beautiful Black Swallowtail butterfly

#amiright?!

Now, some consider the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly as a metaphor for the resurrection. And I understand why they do that, because it’s as if something has risen from the dead.

Only, butterflies don’t rise from the dead. They emerge as a new creation. The DNA of a caterpillar and the DNA of the emergent butterfly are identical. But one would never say that a caterpillar and a butterfly are identical.

And that’s why, for me, the transformation of a butterfly from a caterpillar is more like the new life we experience in Christ. The apostle Paul says, “Whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old has gone, and the new has come!” 

Here’s the way I look at it: I was Steve Wilkins (or Stephen, according to my family) before I embrace Jesus in all his grace and mercy; and I am Steve Wilkins (or Stephen, according to my family) ever since I embraced Jesus in all his grace and mercy. My DNA hasn’t changed. But I have changed, because one cannot dwell with Jesus and not be changed, transformed.

The truth is, Jesus does an amazing work in our hearts. He fills us with hope. He assures us of his unconditional love. He cleanses us of our sin. He is the source of joy in our lives. He points us to the two great commands: to love God with our whole being, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

A heart indwelt by Jesus is a beautiful thing, indeed.

The next time you see a butterfly, take time to appreciate its beauty, and then let this sink in: “Wow, what God has done with that butterfly, is really like what God has done with me through Christ.”

Indeed, whoever is in Christ is a new creation.