Metamorphosis

"A change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one, by natural or supernatural means."

My 6 year old and I found the most unique looking caterpillar in our yard 2 weeks ago, and discovered it was the spicebush variety. With some patience, the right home environment and faith, we experienced the miraculous life cycle as it turned from a caterpillar into a chrysalis, and then a beautiful swallowtail butterfly.

Similarly, I find my personal walk with God has been in stages. I grew up in a home with a solid Christian foundation, so my environment was safe to grow in. However, I needed time to mature and was only crawling (caterpillar)...filling my insatiable appetite for worldly things.

It wasn't until that unfillable (God) void left me so empty I knew I needed to return to my Christ centered roots. I was asked to join a bible study after church one day (and after several attempts by my mom and sister). When I took time to actually read & study the bible, the word of God came to life for me for the first time; His love penetrating my heart. I would consider this time my chrysalis stage. I was nurturing my soul and developing my personal relationship with Jesus.

It took time for me to give my whole life over to Christ. I was still straddling who I was in the world, and who I was as a Christian. Would I still be me, have fun, be liked, accepted? Because of my introduction to God as a child, He never let go of me. I always had a tugging feeling in my heart, since He is the great pursuer:

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6, NLT).

When I chose to let go of the things (sin) that bound me in the world, I was set free. I flew out of my chrysalis like a miraculous butterfly. I have become the woman God has intended for me to be and our loving relationship is so sweet as we soar together.

I have also found this metamorphosis in my yoga practice. I started off with a closed mind that yoga wasn't enough exercise for me, I wasn't flexible, I was impatient with the pace, and it didn't line up with my Christian faith.

As I stuck with it, I learned how to make the classes more challenging with proper alignment and advanced postures. I gained strength and flexibility, and I liked how my physical appearance changed with long, lean muscle. I also made the intention about Christ and no other gods.

Now my practice has blossomed into not just a physical one, but one with a deep meditation, finding perfect peace with God each time I come to my mat. I was obedient in my calling to offer Christian style yoga classes, and God is blessing me with beautiful butterflies willing to get the benefits of yoga, but also deepening their Christian walk with me.