Caterpillar Conundrum

In my early childhood I had the privilege of collecting Monarch caterpillars, housing and caring for them, and then watching the transform into beautiful butterflies, and then releasing them. This was always so fascinating to me and the miracle of transformation blew and still blows my mind. But I learned something recently that added even more awe-inspiring reflection upon this divine feat. A caterpillar, in its DNA, is NO DIFFERENT than a butterfly. In fact if you were to compare the strands of a butterfly and a caterpillar they would be identical. I know your mind is blown as well. :)

The thing that is so fascinating is that a caterpillar is already a butterfly in every way except for how it functions in and engages its world. The only thing left to do for a caterpillar is to be transformed so the physical evidence is seen.

Jacob in Genesis 32 gets a new name, Israel. From birth, he was already Israel but he did not function as such in the world. He was deceitful, arrogant, and self-full. God saw Jacob as Israel from the beginning, being the one who would carry out the promise to Abraham.

This means that God sees us for the butterfly we can be, that he created us to be even though we are a chubby little insignificant worm. Unlike the Monarch, however, who goes through this process somewhat mindlessly and automatically, we must choose Jesus...everyday. Our transformation happens because we allow God freedom to change us. We get out of the way, dying to ourselves, and trust Him with our lives.

Do you know you are worth more than what people say about you or what your current state of existing is?
Have you begun the transformation process or are you still living a spiritually slow and low life?
Have you started the process but things are holding you up and you are stunted from growing?

Why crawl through life when you could be flying?

Soul Survivors - pt 2

Romans 8:28-39
So we're Soul Survivors if we are living for Christ. Good. And we learned last week what all that entails: in the face of problems, times of need, harassment, desperation, shame, fear, and death. So what about the good?

Romans 8:28 says "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Let me break it down taking key words in this verse and expounding.

KNOW - we are confident, sure, fully aware

ALL THINGS - every detail and event, tragedy, victory, difficulty, and celebration, and not just in our life but throughout history

GOD WORKS - not us; It's not up to us and our strength or capabilities. God is in control. Another version says 'work together.' This is from the Greek word 'sunergeo' from which we get synergy. Simply put: God works two or more elements together to make something brand new that couldn't be produced in the individuals alone, something better.

GOOD - this is an eternal kingdom type of good, not ice cream and cake kind of good. A bigger picture of good is needed. Jesus says in response to the compliment of "good teacher" that only His dad is good. Good, in this sense is heavenly and eternal. In essence, the good that comes about is our own deeper relationship with God.

THOSE WHO LOVE HIM - this is the qualifier. This promise isn't for everyone - only those who reciprocate God's love and even further more who respond to the call.

WHO ARE CALLED - God initiates, reaches out, desires. Not everyone who is called responds accordingly.

So what do we do with this? Ask 5 questions from this verse and allow the Spirit to lead you in truth. When you feel called or prompted by God's Spirit:
   Do you love God? Start with the basic. Enter a relationship.
   Are you eternal kingdom minded? 'I' am NOT the most important thing in this world. I must be others' minded.
   Are you trying to do it on your own? Recognize God is the one who creates, sustains, and transforms, not us on our own strength.
   What certain things or experiences do you need to give to God? Let go of specific events in order to see bigger picture of what God is doing.
   Are you confident/Do you trust in the 'good' God is doing? The good is making you like Jesus.

Let's be soul survivors TODAY!