It's
called death--death of what we know, to live for what we do not know. It can
also be described as closing out one way of thinking and being, to prepare for
a new way. The caterpillar must live for the purpose of dying in order to
fulfill the destiny of becoming a butterfly. That's where the effort comes in.
It exists for the purpose of one day spinning a cocoon which becomes the
vehicle for transformation. Emerging
from the cocoon is where the pain comes in. The butterfly enters the world with
great and necessary travail. No short cuts can be taken anywhere in the
process. There are no wings to fly without strength built up by forcefully shedding
the cocoon. There is no butterfly without a cocoon. There is no cocoon without
a caterpillar. There is no caterpillar without the butterfly's egg.
What
is different about human nature? Humans possess choice. That's where
open-mindedness comes in. We have a choice to "die to self" and
surrender to the cocooning process to be morphed into a new nature. Change is
inevitable, but we have a choice as to whether change will move us in a
positive or negative direction. Much of what happens in our world is out of our
control, but it's amazing how different our world can be when we recognize,
engage, and empower the motivation to
change the things within our control. Most people fail to change their
undesirable circumstances, not because of inability to perform, but because of
their inability to submit their performance to a process of change which points
them in a positive direction. As a believer in God as the sovereign Creator, He
is the One who has the power to effect ultimate change, and breathe life into
the existence of mankind.
Many
people confuse wishes with desires. It's one thing to wish for
improvement of circumstances, but it's another thing to desire the
necessary change in yourself for improvement to happen. It was Gandhi
who said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." The world is
not made a better place by the caterpillar wishing to be a butterfly.
The world welcomes the presence of a butterfly because a caterpillar submitted
its desire to the process of weaving a cocoon. As we desire to become the
caterpillars we were meant to be in the world, we will become the butterflies
we were meant to be.
Comparatively,
simply wishing for an emotionally pain-free existence will not overcome the
disappointment, worry, or confusion in life.
It may make you feel better temporarily to complain about things, blame
people, or justify yourself when something bad happens, but complaining,
blaming, or justifying will not produce successful change. Lasting positive
change will only occur when you take responsibility for things within your
power to change, and surrender responsibility for those things not meant for
you to change.
In
my book I relate this theme specifically to the topic of forgiveness and
reconciliation. Many
people think they have forgiven when in reality all they've done is wish
for their situation to improve. Based on my research and experience observing
actual practices, in most cases, a
deeper desire for inner change is still necessary for genuine freedom
through forgiveness. If you are open to changing your thinking about the topic,
I invite you to read and study the book. I do not claim to have the final word
on the topic, but I promise you will gain at least a few nuggets that will help
you succeed with positive change in your life.
Note: The book Escaping the Pain of Offense:
Empowered to Forgive from the Heart discusses themes of dealing with
offense and finding freedom in forgiveness.
This book is designed to help people (especially in the Christian
faith) to discover and dislodge things
in life that lead to defeat. Don't miss out on your chance to use this book as
a helpful tool in discovering Refuge in Christ. It can be purchased by clicking
here: http://bluerockbnb.com/healing/book_main.htm . If you get anywhere near
PA for vacation or on business, be sure to look us up for lodging at http://bluerockbnb.com
by Ed Hersh, Blue Rock BnB Healing Ministry
