I saw a monarch butterfly today. So many memories come from this sighting. The first year we homeschooled I had dill growing in my herb garden to go with my homemade dill pickles. Except wouldn't you know it swallowtail butterflies like dill (and carrots). We cut the dill heads with the caterpillars and put several in jars to watch them eat...and turn into chrysalis...and eventually the finished butterfly. They are truly a wonder.
Many years ago when we still watched 'Doctor Who', there was one show on a species that tried to dominate and eradicate a second species that the first species believed was substandard. The second species was (it runs in my mind) an insect-like being. In the end it turned out that the second species was in a 'stage' in their life cycle, and similar to butterflies at the end of their stage they turned into something like a creature of light and beauty. They just had to get through the ugly stage first.
In comparison, we humans seem to need our earthly struggles, and yes, even sometimes stages of ugliness. The more we turn toward the light of God's love and teaching the more ugliness we leave behind for true beauty.
What we begin with is what some religious circles call 'man's fallen nature'. I read recently of a woman who had 'struggled' with the idea of humans having a fallen nature...until her child reached the two year old mark. Now, apparently, she has come to a new understanding.
I digress, however, the scriptures let us know that people are not born 'wicked' per se, but they become wicked with the wicked choices they make.
"Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions." (Ecclesiastes 7:29 ASV)
Yes, life is a struggle, but if we hold on as Christians it will be worth it.
I digress, however, the scriptures let us know that people are not born 'wicked' per se, but they become wicked with the wicked choices they make.
"Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions." (Ecclesiastes 7:29 ASV)
Yes, life is a struggle, but if we hold on as Christians it will be worth it.
If any man's work shall abide which he built thereon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire.
(1 Corinthians 3:14-15 ASV)
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God." (Romans 8:18-21)
"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth?" (Romans 8:22-24)
(1 Corinthians 3:14-15 ASV)
"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth?" (Romans 8:22-24)
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
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