FLUTTER BY!

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. "

2 Corinthians 5:17

Many times I'm inspired to write because of nature and the unique way God made something. I began thinking about the butterfly and about how it emerges into the beautiful creature that it is. I know you've probably all heard the analogy of the butterfly and new life in Christ. I love that thought but I was curious to know more about this little creature and so I went and read up on the subject of butterflies.

I found some amazing facts about the butterfly which was just a reminder once again of how intricately God made each creature from the big huge hippopotamus down to the insects.

Here's some things that stood out to me about the butterfly.

Butterflies have predators!

As lovely as the butterfly is, there are other little creatures out there that prey on it. There are wasps, birds, snakes, and frogs to name just a few. When we have that new life in Christ, we have a predator too. Just like the butterfly needs to be aware of his surroundings and how its predators can attack him, so do we as Christians. The devil is out there and he is seeking us out. He's our "adversary".

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring

lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Butterflies Need The Sun.

Butterflies can't fly if their temperature is less than 86° They cannot produce heat on their own and butterflies must rely on the sun to heat up their wings in order for them to move about. They have strong muscles but they can't fly without the sun to warm their bodies first. I used to wonder why I'd see butterflies sometimes sitting on a branch, just sitting there, almost not moving for a very long time, with maybe just a slight movement of the wings. Apparently they were soaking up the sun in order to take flight.

Wow! That is how we are as Christians. We can't do things on our own. We need the "Son" to warm us as well. We don't move along very well in our own strength, do we? We have to rely on the Lord's strength and guidance before we can accomplish anything.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

*Butterflies Can See Ultraviolet Light.

Did you know that the butterfly has the ability to see things we humans cannot see? They have the ability to see ultraviolet light which helps vividly guide them so they can find nectar to drink. As Christians we have a special eyesight as well and we can see things others don't. Sometimes those without Christ just don't understand us Christians. We have the ability to see with the eyes of faith. I think of all of those heroes of faith in Hebrews chapter 11 and all the things that happened because of their faith.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence

of things not seen. Matthew 17:20

CONCLUSION:

These butterfly traits make me think of David when he went to battle with Goliath. He could see vividly what God was going to do. Don't you just love how David had been basking in the "Son" shine? He was ready to move for the Lord.

That big old giant was taunting David and telling him how he was going to give his flesh to the birds and the beasts, but David was seeing with those eyes of faith. I just love this passage. It's one of those that send that surge through me that says, "Yes!" God is in control.

Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands! Samuel 17:45-47.

My favorite part is when David says, "...I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel...". We cannot do anything in our own strength. We sure can't "flutter" very far. Going back to 2 Corinthians 5:17, it states that "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

We've got to be constantly soaking up God's Word and spending time with the "Son" of God before we can move forward and take flight.

So, how are you fluttering?