My sister and her family were recently in San Diego for a visit. As we sat outside, enjoying the gorgeous day, a glorious monarch butterfly flew overhead. It landed on a flower, took several sips of nectar—then circled around each of us. This season has forced practices of being present when beautiful reminders of our sweet mom enter a space.
I glanced over and Kevin(my husband) began tearing up. He shared about another butterfly visit he experienced the day after my mom passed. I used examples of observing my mom’s resiliency in her faith, despite obstacles on Day Four of the Found By You Devotional.
The butterfly has become a symbol for me during the season of loss. Its beauty, resilience, and transformational process remind me that I am capable of the same.
So…what’s the story of this glorious creature?
Well…it’s quite a story. The adult butterfly’s migration visitation is one of the greatest phenomena in the world. After emerging from the two-week chrysalis, fat and happy from eating this yummy(to them) poisonous milkweed, they embark on an impossible journey. The milkweed also protects them. If caught, the new butterflies’ bright orange and black wings to leave a bitter taste.
The monarchs are unique creatures. They know exactly what direction to migrate, even though they’ve never made the journey. They have an “internal compass” that guides them in the right direction each spring and fall. A single monarch can travel thousands of miles. With only a few short weeks to live, the monarch searches for food and a place to establish the next generation of butterflies.
Instead of our feeble efforts to accomplish a mission, let’s invite Creator God into our impossible journey. He loves us so much and desires for us to thrive.
We have an internal compass that guides our direction. We have an anchor that holds us secure. His name is Jesus. His love is a free gift of grace; access to the unconditional “I got you” that shapes our transformation and bolsters our resilience. The butterfly has to make it happen. God makes our own impossible journey possible through the love and mercy of His Son.
May you be inspired by the resiliency of the monarch butterfly. Who despite insurmountable obstacles, has an internal compass, guiding it onward. There’s a great power at work in you, it’s resurrection power. What dreams are you dreaming today? God is so present. Philippians 1:6 reminds us that he began a great work and is faithful to complete it.
“Now to the God who can do so many awe-inspiring things, immeasurable things, things greater than we ever could ask or imagine through the power at work in us, 21 to Him be all glory in the church and in Jesus the Anointed from this generation to the next, forever and ever. Amen.”
-Ephesians 3:20-2(VOICE)
