Out with the Old, In With the New

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Out with the Old, In With the New

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

When I was a girl, I was fascinated with biology. I put a caterpillar in a jar and fed it daily, hoping to see it change into a butterfly.

One day, I came home from school and found the caterpillar had attached itself to the side of the jar by a tiny anchor. It was squirming and writhing, as if it was in pain. The caterpillar’s body seemed to melt while its skin was pushed down. Before my eyes, it transformed into a chrysalis. Then the old skin fell off while the new continued to change into a firm casing. Inside the protective shell, its body kept changing over the next few days before the butterfly emerged.

In the same way, our lives of sin and rebellion are cast aside when we are transformed by God’s love and mercy into a beautiful vessel recreated by the Master’s hand, for his use. It can be painful to give up the desires of the flesh and submit our will to God’s, but he lovingly protects us during our transformation. Our new creation can be a source of inspiration to others, leading them to Christ.

Heavenly Father, help us to seek to be transformed into a beautiful reflection of your love and glory. And once transformed, help us never to forget to offer thanks for making us more like Christ. Amen.

By Katy Huth Jones