the completely opposite direction from where you will ultimately be

 

The caterpillar-into-butterfly thing has been used to death as metaphor, analogy, inspirational image... I myself often bring it up when talking to sponsees about the idea of "Divine discontent."

It's also a wonderful (and common) way to talk about Faith; about the idea that God (if there is one, and today I'm voting yes) has something better in store, something bigger, if we but trust the process.

Usually when I think about it I somehow imagine the caterpillar not really knowing what's involved, but just taking each step as it comes.

 

But what if it did know?  Who could blame Mr. C for doubting?

 

Caterpillar: "Let me get this straight.  You want me to go into a small, dark space and remain totally motionless, and that is going to open up a whole new world for me."

God:  "That's right."

Caterpillar:  "So... I'm going to gain wings by... lying still."

God:  "Yes."

Caterpillar:  "I get the sky...  by lying in the dark."

God:  "Right."

Caterpillar:  "Riiiiight.  Sure I will."

 

It struck me, as I thought about it this way, that a Divine process -- wherever one is or whatever one might be going through -- may look, from our perspective, like one is moving in the completely opposite direction from where you will ultimately be.

Huh.

That makes faith a little easier for me today.

Cool.

 

Comments

[Dave]

Today, I am meeting with Mr Caterpillar for lunch.

[Robin]

Nice illustration, Mr. SP ~ it made faith a little easier for me today too. Very cool.

Robin

[kelly]

I shared a link to this on my facebook back when you first posted it, and just came back to read it again.

It's still just as awesome. I love how your personality and sense of humor come through. It's a great twist on that old metaphor.