The Florida Museum at the University of Florida says, “Butterflies and moths undergo a complete metamorphosis, which means there are four separate stages in the life cycle (egg, larva, pupa, and adult). Each stage looks completely different and serves a different purpose in the life of the insect.” St. Paul says in Romans 12:2, “Do no be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” The word used for “transformed” is a form of metamorphosis and the allusion to the butterfly is obvious as it is applied to the life of the Christian. Transformation means “a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance.” And that is exactly what a metamorphosis is that is to take place in our lives as we walk with the Lord. There are dimensions to our growth as we develop and mature as followers of Christ that must change from our days before we began our pilgrimage with the Lord. The apostles experienced a radical change in their lives as they followed Christ and were filled with the Holy Spirit. We are called to experience a similar metamorphosis or transformation. Jesus is in the business of turning lives upside down.
In Luke 2:52 we read that Jesus “advanced in wisdom and age and favor with God and man.” As Jesus matured, He grew physically, intellectually, spiritually, and socially. This verse on the life of Jesus serves as a model for our growth as a Christian. Often, we tend to think only of spiritual growth when we focus on growing as a Christian. But we need to be a well-rounded Christian.
Transformational growth for the Christian must include the social dimension as well as the spiritual dimension. We are members of the body of Christ and the Church is a social organization as well as a spiritual one. And this transformation must also include the intellectual dimension. Being content with a sixth-grade education does not bode well for a maturing person just as a sixth-grade spiritual education is not acceptable for the maturing Christian. In Ephesians 4:14 St. Paul says, “we may no longer be infants, tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching.” Here he is calling us to spiritual, social, and intellectual growth and maturity. In the area of physical development, we are to be good stewards of our bodies since we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. In other words, we cannot neglect any aspect of this transformation that is to take place.
A popular Christian hymn is Have Thine Own Way Lord. The heart of this hymn is the line, “Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.” As this hymn goes through your mind, let it go to your heart and, in doing so, allow Jesus to be the Potter in your life bringing about the metamorphosis He desires.
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