During some heavy prayer I
recently heard from God that I am in “cocoon season.” This is a
season of being under construction. It is hiding in the protection
of God's cocoon.
Cocoon:
1. A silky case spun by the larvae
of many insects for protection in the pupal stage.
2. Envelop or surround in a
protective or comforting way; Wrap, swaddle, cloak, envelop, protect, shield,
shelter.
In the cocoon, the caterpillar’s
old body dies (or shall I say it disintegrates) and a new body
forms inside of a protective shell. The caterpillar digests itself, releasing
enzymes to dissolve all of its tissues. The only thing that
survives this process is a certain remarkable group of cells known as imaginal
discs. It literally becomes a completely new creature!
“Therefore, if anyone is in
Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has
come.”-2 Corinthians 5:17
A cocoon is not a resting place as many would think. The caterpillar is hard at work transforming into a new creature. This requires that the old caterpillar body be broken down and turned into something new.
Why is this season so
important?
*It is God's way of growth and
protection. In the caterpillar world the butterfly metamorphosis
happens inside a protective shell known as a chrysalis.
Along with the ability to
occasionally twitch in response to threats, this shell is what protects the
caterpillar while it transforms. Just like in our transformations,
the caterpillar is unable to protect itself during the process, but the shell
keeps it protected. In our case it is the protection of God's
“shell.” It is amazing to think that even though like the
caterpillar, we are still out in the open during this season of complete
transformation, He provides camouflage and protection. Often this
is a major reason why we may feel invisible during this season.
Though we may be invisible to others during this process, we are in God's
direct supervision and focus.
*The cells needed to become a
butterfly called imaginal discs remain dormant throughout the caterpillar's life
until the cocoon process takes place. Those cells form the wings,
antennae, legs, eyes and all the other features of an adult butterfly or
moth. Just like all that God has called us to be remains dormant
in us until this process takes place in us with Him.
*It is required so that we may go
into the next season, butterfly season. Butterfly season is where
our beauty and talents are revealed. If we skip or shorten the
cocoon season, we will never make it to the next season. According
to what I have read about the cocoon process, getting a look at this
metamorphosis as it happens is difficult; disturbing a caterpillar inside
its cocoon or chrysalis risks botching the transformation. We must not
disturb or hastily abort the process. We must submit and trust the
process, God's process. “What the caterpillar
calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly.”-Richard
Bach
We must be patient and avoid
running before the transformation is concluded. Even though this
process may seem as if it will never end and brings out many emotions and fears,
we must trust that per Philippians 1:6, “being confident
of this, that he who began a good work in you
will carry it on to
completion”
“Patience doesn't
mean making a pact with the devil of denial, ignoring our emotions and
aspirations. It means being wholeheartedly engaged in the process that's
unfolding, rather than ripping open a budding flower or demanding a caterpillar
hurry up and get that chrysalis stage over with.”-Sharon
Salzberg
I pray that all of you reading
this are encouraged. I have been straining with this process and
at times my emotions have gripped me. I want to turn into a
butterfly, God's butterfly and in God's way and time no matter how I feel.
Know that He WILL COMPLETE the process He has 'started in you, in your
life (all areas in your life). He is NOT a man and CANNOT
lie. I am praying for each one you, emerging butterflies.
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