Flutterby Lessons

The atmosphere radically changed as we stepped through the protective barrier into the glass house.

The five-story, 15,000-square-foot tropical habitat housing the United States’ largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition was a feverish frenzy of flying beauties. It was a frantic, unfettered, and electrifying aerial dance of hundreds of newly birthed butterflies as they stretched and flaunted their painted wings. Breathtaking.

The animated flight pattern of the butterflies echoed in the movement of the visiting admirers, who darted quickly from one location to another, attempting to video an elusive dancer in flight.

Standing still in the ever-flowing river of people, I watched the butterflies flutter from branch to leaf to flower to bowls of sugar water and then move on. If the winged creature stopped, it was only for a mili-second.

It seemed to me that the tiny creatures knew that their time was short. For that reason, they flew as fast, played as hard, saw as much, and tasted all the sweetness they possibly could in their brief, beautiful lives.

As I watched, the fluttering never stopped. There was no stopping to savor a moment. There was no time for rest or “conversation” with a butterfly buddy. Constant motion.

Perhaps they know they will cease to exist when their two to three weeks of life as a butterfly is over. They are, after all, flutterbys.

Thinking about our lovely outing with God’s marvelously created little creatures, I realized there are lessons these flying painted canvases can teach us as believers in Christ Jesus.

NEW IDENTITY: As the caterpillar metamorphized into a butterfly, we also have been transformed into a new creation in Christ Jesus.

We should embrace our new identity and revel in the transforming work that God’s Holy Spirit continues to work in us. (Rom.12:2, 2 Cor.3:18, 5:17)

FREEDOM: Emerging from the chrysalis, the butterfly realizes it now has wings. In short order, the butterfly masters control of its wings and takes to the sky.

Jesus broke the chains of sin, self, and Satan that tied us down and held us captive. Jesus, in effect, gave us wings to fly. He freed us to experience all that it means to be a child of God. (Gal. 5:1, 2 Cor. 3:17)

CELEBRATION AND REJOICING: After weeks in a cocoon, the butterfly seems a non-stop tiny bundle of joy, excited by its new identity and the gift of flight and motion that it is experiencing.

No matter our circumstances, regardless of our past, we (believers) can celebrate and find great joy in the redeemed life and the eternal hope that is now ours. (John 15:11, Titus 1:2, 2:13)

MAKE EVERY MINUTE COUNT: The butterfly is constantly moving, exploring, playing, trying new flavors and tastes, and experimenting with new flight patterns – it’s one adventure after another for the butterfly.

In the grand picture of eternity, our life is a tiny pinprick of a dot. But it is our calling as children of God to make every second of that little dot count.

“Be still before the LORD….” Psalm 37:7

God does not want us to pattern ourselves after the frantic, almost-giddy lifestyle of the butterfly – constantly fluttering. He wants us to be intentional, informed by the Word, filled by the Spirit, and follow the call of God wherever He leads. We are to take moments to savor God’s goodness, remind ourselves of His promises, and greatly appreciate the blessings we have received. God’s calling for our life is our great adventure. (Eph. 5:15-16)

LEAVE A LEGACY: Near the end of its short life, the butterfly mates and lays its eggs, ensuring a future generation of caterpillars, and then butterflies will follow.

Jesus instructed His disciples to spread the Gospel message to the ends of the earth, baptizing, teaching, and making disciples. His instructions are ours, as well. And they are for every generation of believers who come after us. (Acts 1:8, Mat. 28:18-20, Mark 16:15)

Our legacy is the lives we touch for the cause of Christ Jesus.

“Flutterby” is a childish play on the word butterfly. But I prefer the word “flutterby” because, to my mind, it better describes the frivolous activity of these beautiful little creatures. Though not an appropriate word to describe a spiritually healthy Christ-follower, it is an excellent reminder of the lessons we can learn from the butterfly.

Ask yourself:

• Am I embracing my identity in Christ Jesus, reveling and actively participating in the Holy Spirit’s transformative work in my life?
• Am I living a life of freedom from the shame and guilt of my past? Am I living the abundant life that is found only in Jesus?
• Am I living a joy-filled life regardless of my circumstances?
• Am I making the most of every moment, seeking God’s best instead of settling for good?
• Am I building a legacy for the Kingdom of God?

Flutterby lessons.