The Other Side

One of my favorite projects I did with my Second Graders was our Life Cycle of a Butterfly unit. Each Spring, the children, my husband, and I would set out on a hunt through the tall Milkweed stalks hoping to find a treasure trove of Monarch Caterpillars. Usually within a week, my trusty, large, glass pickle jar was full of leaves and the emerald colored caterpillars who ate them. With hand-made journals out on our desks, we’d watch closely for changes throughout the day and then, record all our observations.

One of the most fascinating behaviors I noticed over the years was the closer each caterpillar came to the stage of becoming a Chrysalis, the more they would struggle! Hanging upside down, their rippled bodies would writhe back and forth, swinging side to side as if they were actually fighting against what they were going through. We’re like that too, aren’t we? Changes in our lives can cause us to also struggle and fight. Right now, we’re wrestling with this new, unfamiliar stage of pandemic life.

The fact is, in order for a caterpillar to become a chrysalis, they must let go of who they’ve been and enter into a confined, limiting space. They don’t understand it, don’t know for how long, and have no idea how it will all turn out. In many ways, we find ourselves in exactly the same position.  It’s difficult to understand all that’s going on and to accept that our boundaries are much smaller. Our where, when and with whom have been greatly constrained. We’ve also been comfortable with defining who we are by the jobs we do, activities we’re involved in, the achievements we’ve made, or what we see in the mirror. But now, living a “cocoon-like” life has each of us questioning all that and maybe we’re even finding ourselves squirming a bit! We ask, who am I really? How long will this last?  What will life look like when we make it to the next stage? We’re left hanging, waiting for the answers.

I wish I could tell you that I know what comes next, but of course, you and I know that I can’t; but, I DO know where we can find some much needed encouragement for such a time as this. It’s been recorded in God’s Word!

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  James 1:2-4 (NLT)

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)

“And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” Romans 8:17-18 (NLT)

Finding joy, clinging to hope, and waiting for glory to reveal itself in times like we’re in doesn’t come naturally. Honestly, I fling back and forth! I might do well one day and then swing backward the next. Maybe you can relate! So, let’s return to my butterfly project for what I pray will be a little more reassurance for us all. Time passes and after spending what seems like an eternity suspended between who it was and what it’s becoming, the chrysalis becomes dark as night; and just when you begin to think it didn’t make it, out from its confinement emerges a beautiful, bright orange butterfly!

Yes, things for us feel upside down and dark right now and there’s a real chance we’ll have to let go of life as we’ve known it.  But, here’s why I think this old school project has come to mind again at this time.  It’s reminding me and I hope you too, that God has a plan! A perfect plan where His amazing transforming power takes any struggle we face, and in time, makes it beautiful on the other side!

“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT)

This was always a miraculous Science lesson I loved sharing with my Second Graders. How God-like that now in this place and time, years later, it’s a miraculous Life lesson He loves sharing with you and me!

Let’s pray together:

Heavenly Father,
We come to you in the midst of a difficult and challenging stage of our lives. There are many burdened with grief, illness, fear, worry, and so much more.  Be with us LORD as we struggle. Help us to look to You and trust the promises given in Your Word. We know You work all things for good. Remind us of that when we so easily forget. Thank you for the blessings that we can see coming from a changed world and for your grace, peace, and love that are always with us. Let us share those with others, being Your bright light in a dark world. And finally, please enable us to take our eyes off our present situations and look forward to the other side where Your glory outweighs all our troubles.
In Jesus name,
Amen

As always, I am grateful for you taking your time to stop in here. I wish I had more wisdom and insight to offer you. Please know that I’m praying for our world and if you have a specific need and feel comfortable leaving it in the comments, I will be honored to pray for you. Stay safe and be well, Cindy