Patience预览

Metamorphosis

Something I haven’t laid eyes on for many years is a cocoon. As a kid, being outdoors a lot more than I am now I suppose, I remember seeing them often and being fascinated by the whole idea of this goofy looking ‘grub’ encased in its self-constructed, seemingly flimsily little ‘bag’ attached to a tree branch and swaying in the breeze. What on earth was going on in there! For days, it would seem, not much. Next minute…

Sometime in our life journey we may feel a bit like that caterpillar. Waiting patiently for our metamorphosis. It may appear that nothing is going on but, to the contrary, it is during the waiting that our character is refined, our faith strengthened, and our dependence on God deepened.

In fact, continuing the analogy, inside the chrysalis the caterpillar’s body undergoes profound changes at the cellular level. It essentially liquefies its tissues and reorganises them into the structures of a butterfly. Within that God-given protective covering there definitely is a lot going on.

Patience is important. Not merely the ability to wait but also the attitude we maintain while waiting, trusting in God’s timing and sovereignty, despite the challenges that might come along during the wait. And at the risk of over analysing, it’s worth mentioning that as the metamorphosis of caterpillar to butterfly progresses, the chrysalis becomes transparent, allowing observers to witness the intricate changes taking place inside. So, remember others are watching. What God is doing in your life, and most importantly how you deal with it, always has the potential to be a powerful witness to others.

Written by ROBBIE PARKIN