Wednesday, June 11,
2014
"Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are
passed away; all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17). Hey Gang: As a young lad growing up in
the hills of Pennsylvania, we were challenged to do something to aid in the war
effort. World War II was the focus of everyone in those days and we
wanted to do our part. So, we spent a day a month searching throughout
the hillsides and along the roadways for milkweeds that could be used to make
rubber.
Now, if you know anything about milkweeds, you
probably know that caterpillars love milkweeds and often attach their chrysalis
(cocoon) to it. We often collected one and put in a glass jar that
had a lid with air holes, with a short stick and milkweed leaves for food. The
stage was set and each day we would watch one of the wonders of God's creation
- metamorphosis take place.
Watching the caterpillar was like watching a
tug of war between two great warriors - but the tug of war was God's design to
place strength in the wings of the butterfly that would enable it to fly!
I recall one time, when we made the mistake of helping the caterpillar escape,
only to see it lamely fly for a moment or two, then drop to the ground and die.
In our work with human caterpillars who are
struggling to escape the cocoon that holds them captive, we learned there is a
time to help them, but there is a time to make them fight their way out of the
cocoon that holds them captive.
As I thought about this story, a sad memory
surfaced in my heart and mind. I had a very good friend who was blessed
with a wonderful mom, but she was his own worst enemy. I remember one
morning when I arrived at his house a little early and his mom had him standing
on chair while she washed his face, put his clothes on, tied his shoes, combed
his hair and lifted him down from the chair as she would handle a dozen of
eggs. He was never allowed to fall and feel the victory of getting up and
putting one foot in front of the other. And, on the day he went off to
college, he was totally unprepared for living in the real world; he came apart
mentally.
The point, the caterpillar has no choice in
metamorphosis, but man must choose to be changed. To become a Christian,
we must experience death to the carnal man, so that "Like as
Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also
should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).
When the new creature crawls out of the cocoon
it has been transformed into something beautiful not at all resembling its
former self. The butterfly uses its lovely wings to fly from flower to
flower, drinking and adding beauty to the environment. It is no longer
attracted to the milkweed leaves for feeding.
In the same way, our spiritual feeding habits
should clearly change when we become Christians. Instead of filling
ourselves with 'weeds' we should feast on the 'nectar' of God's Word.
Soooo, what does your
diet consist of? Are you feeding on milkweed or nectar? Isaiah gave
us the key to success for breaking free from the cocoons of life that hold us in
bondage. "Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not
bread? And your labor for that which satisfies not? Hearken
diligently unto me and eat ye that which is good" (Isaiah 55:2)
Blessings,
Gramps
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