THE TRANSFORMED LIFE
METAMORPHOSIS
met•a•mor•pho•sis [met-uh-mawr-fuh-sis] n. A marked change in appearance, character, condition, or function.
Biology textbooks inevitably cover metamorphosis, and various metamorphoses, as they are such awe-inspiring and often bizarre processes in living things. Select creatures of land, water, and sky undergo metamorphosis, and of these, insects are typically highlighted, including the so-called “incomplete” (molting) metamorphosis through egg, nymph, and adult, and the so-called “complete” metamorphosis (4-stage) through egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Yet overlooked in this emphasis that all living things go through remarkable metamorphoses as they develop—it’s just that among insects, frogs, and such, the development is out in the open for all to see, rather than hidden mysteriously, such as in a womb. Metamorphosis in this general sense is a necessary in all life.
Unfortunately, since limited to physical descriptions, these same textbooks do not delve into the most astounding transformation of all: Human spiritual metamorphosis. Those in Christ, though not physically suspended, molting, or springing forth wings, nonetheless participate in an analogous journey of spiritual change.
New believer
s—perhaps you’re one of them—have entered into the larval stage of new life. Nicodemus was told it was like being “born again” (John 3:3-8). With today’s knowledge we might even understand it as being conceived again. But like a caterpillar, one activity dominates this stage: eating! New believers have a remarkable hunger for God’s Word, for fellowship, worship, and prayer. This colossal appetite is not a peculiar thing, but emerges by design. (see Deuteronomy 8:3, 1 Peter 2:2, John 4:34) New believers need to scarf all the spiritual nourishment they can get, as it will be necessary for the transformation and work to come.
This early growth stage carries on for a while; for some, it’s just a brief binge, while for others, a well-sustained feast! Among creatures, the length of the larval stage depends upon the kind and variety, from hours to weeks. But among humans, apparently God only knows why some must linger here longer. Yet He has a purpose in it, so beware of judging or envying others’ rates of growth in this stage.
Sooner or later, the believer encounters the most awkward role reversal. He or she goes from consuming to being consumed!
The larval stage gives way to the pupal stage. God doesn’t feed us to be fat; rather, He feeds us so that we may spend every last calorie. At the end of Paul’s ministry he was happy just to have “finished the race”, feeling completely “poured out” (2 Timothy 4:5-7); we might say “drained.” This stage puzzles us, because it is not a worldly understanding of growth! In fact, compared to before, we may feel quite lifeless, pathetic, fragile, or constricted. But something is going on: something awesome. We are being transformed in our minds, mannerisms, habits, and attitudes—a complete overhaul of who we are. In this stage of mysterious, veiled growth, we are literally dying to ourselves.
This spiritual pupal stage never comforts or amuses us, but in retrospect, believers inevitably regard it with reverence. A believer can look back and, with confidence, know that God has performed a work far greater than if He had just provided a fuzzy feeling. Trials, within and without, grow a new faith i
nto a mature faith (James 1:2-4).
The climax of metamorphosis is, of course, the adult stage. In one sense this stage is yet to come. Yet in another sense we “die” into it here and now (see John 12:24-25, 2 Corinthians 4:10). Cocoons give way to wings—a whole new way of going places! St. Paul’s expression “in Christ…a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17) is to be taken literally. We emerge more beautiful, graceful—a blessing to anyone who encounters us. At times, the Christian life can be so exhilarating that we may find ourselves in disbelief, wondering “Is this for real?” Unfortunately, the devil says “no”—that we are still crawlers. Too often we believe the liar (John 8:44)!
Admittedly, this metamorphosis analogy breaks down somewhat: We find that unlike frogs and insects, we have to go back from time to time and repeat some stages over! (see Philippians 3:12) Sure, it’s not how we might like it, but life’s most valuable lessons are taught in repetitive curriculum. In a sense, spiritual adulthood is always ahead of us. And yet—and this is the best part—we will one day be changed permanently (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). The resurrection body, as God’s Word promises, shall be immortal, clothed with the imperishable (1 Corinthians 15:35-44).
Whatever stage you exist in today, don’t fight it. Let God nourish you, consume you, exalt you—whatever He needs to do to transform and use you. And even if no soaring on the skies, preserve your hope (see Isaiah 40:30-31): you’ll have better days and seasons, and a perfect eternity, to revel in the splendor of being God’s glorious creature.
© 2009 Chard Berndt
All Scriptures NKJV.
April’s post as promised…
I said I’d submit something shorter and a bit more readable this month, so here it is, as promised. My Microsoft-Word statistics say it’s at 9th grade readability level…maybe I’ll get some more reader interaction again on this one 
Hope you are blessed! Thanks for reading.