In the mid 1980’s a trendy toy was Transformers. A vehicle could be transformed into a robot and children were fascinated and amazed by this man-made novelty.
Butterflies transform from rather unattractive caterpillars to exquisite, graceful, winged creatures, an equally amazing natural process.
Everything about them is different. They don’t TRY to be butterflies. They just ARE. They don’t need to study, “Butterfly 101”.
When they emerge from that chrysalis, the transformation is complete they will never return to their former identity as a caterpillar.
II Corinthians 5:17, “If ANY man be in Christ, he is a new CREATURE; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become NEW.”
My transformation happened in 1959 at my first Youth For Christ gathering. Someone prayed with me and shared the verse mentioned above from II Corinthians.
Through tears, I fished my small compact from my purse. I was astonished! I looked EXACTLY the same! A new creature? The counselor smiled and explained the transformation was on the INSIDE. I was a new person from the inside out! Baffled, I only knew something genuine and powerful had taken place.
Within days of returning to Bennett School, many classmates asked, “What’s happened to you? You’re different.”
I was? Yes…I was. There was no conscious effort on my part. My heart and my mind had been transformed. I didn’t TRY to be a Christian. Like the butterfly, I just WAS a new creature.
This transformation is not from man or nature. This is a supernatural miracle as we respond to God’s call to salvation.
65 years later, my new heart and transformed mind remain – I am evidence of the transformative love of a perfect, holy God
And I continue to learn and grow as His child.
~ Vickie Richey
Christ Fellowship