The Butterfly Effect

Yesterday, our visiting preacher at Church (Pastor Roy McGowan), brought us a challenging Word from the Lord on Romans 12 v 2, which says "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God".

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We were challenged NOT to let the world make us like IT, but that we should let the Spirit of God make us like HIM!!!

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The analogy that was presented to us was of a caterpillar: fat, ugly, and causing destruction wherever his chubby butt can wriggle to...

After causing havoc and nyamming all your cabbage leaves, he goes into a cacoon, where a total transformation takes place. Within that cacoon, the old self 'dies', and the new creature is totally un-recognisable becuase of its beauty!. This is our 'being conformed to HIS death'... leaving the past utterly behind us, and allowing the Spirit of God to make us a new creation, (remember that ol hymn ... #To the uttermost He saves#).

However, due to our stubborness and refusal to give God total access to our lives, we often appear like this...

...a mixture of old and new. Saved, but still dragging that old carcas of sin around, and sometimes even going as far as wearing it with pride. This really is ridiculous of us: To be set free from the consequence of sin, but still to revel in it?... when His purpose for our life is to beautify us, and to make us productive, attractive and fruitful.. just like the finished article.
The scariest quote that comes to mind from the powerful Word that Pastor Roy shared with us, was the reminder that (as it says in Proverbs 23v7): "As a man thinketh in His heart, so is he". Whatever is going on in my mind, is a summery of who I am... If all I am thinking about or planning etc. is sinful or self-seeking... I should question 'who is on the throne of my life?'

Our Caterpillar status is easily exposed to us by the way we respond to our thought life... Surely a butterfly would quickly reject the notions or attractions of caterpillar-style living, preferring to flutter!.

We have been given access to the budlia and even to the skies! Why the 'hell', do we still prefer to jam with the greenfly nyamming lettuce?