Mom had purchased two butterfly kits, one for Millie and one for Logan. They were going to be studying the stages of a butterfly in their homeschool science group.
"Does everyone have a butterfly kit with a caterpillar?" Mrs. Wilson asked. She walked around the room and helped the students get their kits set up. "Now, it will take about three weeks for your caterpillars to turn into butterflies, and we will be observing and taking notes throughout the metamorphosis process."
"What does metamorphosis mean?" Millie asked.
"That's a good question, Millie. It means to change. The caterpillars will be going through several changes or stages before they turn into butterflies. This is called the process of metamorphosis."
After Mrs. Wilson dismissed the class, Millie and Logan talked to their friends while the moms got the lunches together. Everyone was excited--this was definitely going to be a fun science project!
"I can't wait to see my butterfly," Millie said on the way home. "We learned what metamorphosis means today. It means to change."
"That reminds me of what we read about in our devotions yesterday," said Mom.
"You mean about having new life in Jesus?" Logan asked.
Mom nodded. "When we trust Jesus as our Savior, we become new--much like how butterflies go through metamorphosis. Second Corinthians 5:17 says that anyone who belongs to Jesus has become a new person. Our old life is gone, and we are given a new life where we have the freedom to love others the way Jesus does."
"That's really cool. I'll have to tell that to Mrs. Wilson next week," Logan replied.
Over the next three weeks, Millie and Logan watched their caterpillars turn into butterflies. "This is so awesome!" Logan said on the day when all the students had their butterfly kits sitting on the picnic table, ready for release time.
"Okay, class, time to set the butterflies free," Mrs. Wilson announced.
The students released their butterflies into the air.
"Fly, butterfly! Enjoy your new life!" Millie called to hers. Everyone cheered as they watched their butterflies fluttering around.
–Lisa Fuller
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you know what it means to become a new person? It doesn’t mean physically changing like a caterpillar into a butterfly. It means to be freed from the guilt of our sin and given the Holy Spirit, who works in your heart to make you more like Jesus. As you let the Holy Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes, He will help you throw off your old way of thinking and live a new life of love that points to Jesus.
TODAY'S KEY VERSE: 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (NLT)