Transformed

Just the other day, I was sitting on my patio enjoying some desperately needed me time, while sipping on freshly made coffee just relishing in the silence. I had not a single thought stirring of today’s to-do-list as the wind gently glided against my face, and I could hear the sweet sounds of birds chirping among the trees that surrounded me. Almost out of nowhere, one of the most beautiful butterflies I had ever seen decided to land just feet from where I was sitting. It had the most amazing vibrant colors; woven into the most intricate patterns, and fluttered its wings back and forth as if it didn’t have a single care in the world. I found myself mesmerized by the outward beauty of this creation, and couldn’t help but to reflect on what it once must have been. The journey of its metamorphosis was the key to the beauty it now portrays as a witness to the outside world.

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, the apostle Paul writes “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” When we give up our life to walk with Christ, we ultimately become brand new beings from the inside out. Through the power of The Holy Spirit, we no longer cling to what we once were, but in turn, are given a new life in Him. We are not just simply reformed, rehabilitated or even re-dedicated, we truly become re-created. Just like the butterfly emerging from its cocoon, when we emerge as followers of Christ, we not only turn a new leaf, we begin a new life under a brand new Master.

Stefanie Calens
Writer

Beautiful Weeds

There’s a house that I drive past on my way to church every week that has a yard filled with weeds. I’m sure at one time the yard boasted a lovely desert landscape motif, but over the years the weeds have grown up and choked out the succulent plants and overpowered the desert gravel and sandstone.

The weeds have upset the symmetry of the yard, stealing what was once sleek and orderly and turned it into something you’d never see on the cover of House and Garden magazine. Weeds are like that; they flower and sprout spreading their seed wherever the wind carries them with little regard to order.

The interesting thing about this yard full of weeds is that for two weeks each year during the early warmth of spring, these weeds become something altogether different. These weeds bloom and blossom into the most glorious expanse of wildflowers in colors so vibrant and spectacular that my eyes devour them like they’ve been starved of beauty my entire life. These weeds are so breathtaking that I find myself watching and waiting with expectancy for the rebirth of these beautiful flowers each spring.

Those weeds and their transformation remind me of what God has done for me (for us) through salvation. When we come to Jesus we bring the ugliness of our sinful past to Him. God, in His mercy is able to see beyond the shame, pain and disorder of a life lived without Him. Once we say “yes” to Jesus and repent of our sinful ways, He takes our brokenness and reinvents us into these beautiful new creations. (Old things are passed away; all things have become brand new. 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Witnessing the beauty of weeds blossoming into flowers reminds us that God will love and care for us every bit as much and more than He cares for weeds and flowers. If we continue to hold onto our past hurts, sins, pain or excuses for being less than what God wants for us – we’re missing the beauty of what salvation offers us.

If we’ve not fully let God have all of our ugly past lives, it’s time to let God in and allow Him to turn our weeds into beautiful flowers!

And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? Matthew 6:30 (NLT)

Blessings in Christ,
Kathy Kurlin
Author
www.kathleenkurlin.com