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.
Today, I am meeting with Mr Caterpillar for lunch.
Posted by: Dave | April 04, 2011 at 03:08 AM
Nice illustration, Mr. SP ~ it made faith a little easier for me today too. Very cool.
Robin
Posted by: Robin | April 04, 2011 at 08:36 PM
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.
Posted by: kelly | May 03, 2012 at 07:36 AM