I watched two short videos today that reminded me how God is
present in change…from the smallest to the largest of creatures. In the first video, I watched as a
caterpillar transformed into its chrysalis; in the second, from chrysalis to
monarch butterfly. To watch:
https://www.facebook.com/annee.olden/videos/10153021453606722/
https://www.facebook.com/annee.olden/videos/10153021453606722/
The caterpillar works so hard to form the chrysalis, and so
fast! I need to watch again to
understand the process, but while I was watching the first time all I could
think about was the contracting of muscles, the tensing of the body, the way
the coating seemed to magically appear and I thought of the birthing
process. Not necessarily the birthing of
a new life, but the birthing of new thought, new ideas, new opportunities. The birthing of becoming who we were designed
by God to be.
We experience our own metamorphosis when we choose to learn
something new, or practice to become better or even as we wither away and
die. Watching children grow into adults
while parents begin to show their age—or have their health and memories rapidly
diminish—is its own time of metamorphosis for the “sandwich” generation. And add to that time personal accomplishments
with expectation of personal changes in vocation and location and change looks
a lot like contracted muscles and tense bodies.
It can be uncomfortable, this change. But what happens in between the creating of
the chrysalis and the emerging of the butterfly? Stillness.
Faithfulness. Patience. Trust.
The chrysalis in the video rested, but while it rested, it
changed…it transformed.
That’s where I am right now.
That in-between place between the active preparation and the
action. Sometimes it’s hard to be here,
waiting; other times, I realize this is a time of growth, too. The freedom of time comes with mixed
opportunities that sometimes balance between wasted time and overbooked time.
I’m going to try to focus these days on “Be still, and know
that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). That’s one thing I can count on. It’s where my hope lies, my faith rests, and
my heart longs for. I’ll wait, in my chrysalis,
still—but changing.
Heavenly One, you
created many miracles of birthing change and development. We see it in nature—in caterpillars and
cicadas, in the leaves of the trees transforming from season to season. We see it in humanity—in babies and
elders. And yet, when we experience it
within ourselves we sometimes get anxious and impatient. Help us to find that space where we can rest
in you, knowing that you are embracing us through our growth. In your Holy Name we pray, Amen.