Often times this metamorphosis is not in our bodies, but in our minds. There is a scripture in the New Testament (Romans 12:2) which challenges us to not conform to being caterpillars in our life, but to be transformed into butterflies. In this scripture, Paul says, “Don’t be conformed to the pattern of this world, or age—this era; today’s worldview.” This writing challenges one not to reflect or embody the things of this world, but to reflect and be transformed by examining that which would be defined as counter cultural, new age, perhaps even metaphysical. We are called to experience metamorphosis.
Do not conform, but be transformed! Paul is telling us to experience metamorphosis! We are called to undergo a complete renovation and renewal under the supervision of the Spirit. Metamorphosis calls for us to grow up, to become new, to change into a new state of being, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually
Renewal is accomplished through the Infinite’s transforming work in the totality of our lives. Paul highlights the importance of the renewing of our mind because our minds govern our choices. Renewal of our mind brings a new perspective, a change of focus—a new way of seeing things. It also brings us to a place of being able to respond thoughtfully to the anxiety in our lives, rather than reacting emotionally which we all do from time to time, myself included. As we experience the renewal of our minds, we become better able to see things from the Creator’s perspective, rather than our own narrow one. Transformation occurs from the inside out. It takes place in the heart and in the mind.
Consider a butterfly: the butterfly begins its life going through stages of growth and transformation. It begins as a larva, then a pupa, and then it becomes the familiar caterpillar. I’m sure you’ve delighted, as I have, in the process of metamorphosis as a caterpillar emerges from its cocoon as a beautiful butterfly, ready to spread its glorious wings and fly. Now here is what’s key for our discussion and this Scripture: the caterpillar does not change its outward appearance alone—it does not disguise itself as a butterfly; it does not turn into something it was not—it experiences transformation/metamorphosis! Its Divine-designed DNA programmed it to move through the stages of its life development. In a similar fashion, the Infinite has encoded “spiritual DNA” so that this transforming work will occur! Transformation is the process of more fully becoming all that the Infinite has designed. A butterfly has more fully become what the Divine designed a caterpillar to be. In the same way, we are to more fully become what the Creator designed us to be individually and as a world.
The Divine sees great potential in the life of each of us. The Creator looks at the caterpillar and sees a butterfly! The Goddess sees the fullness of potential that s/he created in that creature. God looks at us and sees the potential that s/he has created in us.
It’s not that the caterpillar is unworthy, or not beautiful, or sub-standard. It’s just that the Creator did not design it to remain in its present condition. It is the same with us. The Divine loves each of us too much to leave us the way we are. The Infinite wants us to become butterflies.
I have heard a story of a gardener who was out tending his garden one day and observed a butterfly struggling to break free of its cocoon. The gardener watched in amazement as the delicate creature struggled violently to work its way out of its constraining space. The entire cocoon shook and trembled with the butterfly’s efforts to emerge. This struggle went on for what seemed like an eternity to the concerned gardener. Eventually, the gardener became so distraught over the butterfly’s wrestling to break free that he lost patience and decided to help the process along. He went into the house and obtained a pair of scissors, returned to the garden and cut a larger opening in the wall of the cocoon, allowing the butterfly to tumble out onto the ground. What the well-meaning gardener did not realize is that the struggle is part of the transformation process. In the cocoon, the young butterfly’s wings are engorged with fluid, and the struggle to emerge from the cocoon forces the fluid out of the wings and into the young creature’s body where it can be absorbed and processed. Deprived of part of its transformative process, this particular butterfly’s wings remained fluid-filled and it was never able to fly. The gardener watched in despair as the butterfly slowly died, lying on the ground in his garden. In our lives, individually and together, metamorphosis comes as part of a process that involves joy and sorrow, pain and liberation.
Metamorphosis is a process, which involves struggle, dissolving, reimagining, revising, and flying. It is not always easy, however, when you emerge, spread your wings and begin to fly, you will have a greater appreciation for who you are and what the Infinite has called you to become.
