God has different ways of communicating with each of us. For some it may be worship, others it may be through nature, and for others still it may be through quiet time. I’m not sure what that looks like for you, but it is butterflies for me.
A few years ago, my friend and I were standing outside on a dreary, overcast day. I don’t remember what was specifically troubling me at the time, only that there was much on my mind. As we stood on the hill it began to drizzle and after a brief discussion with my friend we decided it was time to head back inside. Upon turning to go, I noticed a leaf on my sweatpants that I quickly brushed away. Much to my surprise, I saw a flash of blue wings that quickly settled on the ground. I walked over and realized that what I thought was a leaf was actually a butterfly. Taking a chance, I stuck my hand out towards it and the butterfly happily hopped in (see picture below). From that day on, I’ve felt as though God gave me butterflies. Whenever I see them whether it be a butterfly design, print, or a real butterfly I get a sense of being in the right place.
Just to bring the point home, I have a few examples. I spent the summer of 2012 in Nazareth, Israel as an intern. A group of my fellow interns and I decided to walk the Jesus Trail. This is a trail that leads from Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee area and is thought to be the path that Jesus walked as a carpenter and for much of his ministry. The first day we hiked, a butterfly was within sight the entire time. The flat that we stayed in also had a lamp with butterflies covering its shade. The daughters of the most influential professor for me during college have butterflies in their room (a fact I learned through babysitting). Last summer, I started attending a church near where I live and there were 15 copper butterflies hanging from the ceiling. After telling one of my grandmothers that butterflies had become significant for me she proceeded to mentioned that I used to draw numerous butterflies in chalk as a small child. I have countless examples of this happening. Butterflies are apparently my thing.
This got me thinking about what a butterfly can symbolize. In a way, it is not unlike a Christian’s walk. Butterflies begin as caterpillars and become butterflies through metamorphosis. We, as believers in Christ, start out as sinners to be transformed by our belief that Christ died and rose again to save us from our sins. Not only are we transformed but through that transformation we are given new freedom, much like butterflies. We were bound by our sin like a caterpillar is bound to the ground but through our belief we are given freedom from our sin and a caterpillar is given freedom through flight. I love this parallel!
Recently, there have been two major butterfly sightings. The first happened through a friend of my dad’s. She is a nurse and frequently leads mission trips to Haiti and Peru. My dad had mentioned that butterflies were important for me roughly a year and a half ago. No more than a week had gone by after originally telling my dad that the World Race was going to be my next step, she arrived at his office with a Peruvian butterfly for me. It was no coincidence that a missionary friend brought a butterfly for me from Peru (which is one of the countries on my route!).
The second event was with my brother. We had gone to visit our grandparents for my grandfather’s 80th birthday. One of the mornings we were there I woke up feeling extremely anxious without really having an idea why. I took some time to pray and journal. Later that morning we went to the beach. As my brother and I were walking, I happened to look down and see a paper butterfly in the sand. A form of answered prayer? I’d say so because I no longer felt anxious. It has been incredible to see how butterflies have crept up in my life. I would encourage you to think about how you communicate with God best. If you’re not sure, pray about it and ask Him. You won’t regret it.
