Thought for the Week
Did you know that caterpillars are not “transformed” into butterflies? In metamorphosis (the name of the process), a caterpillar is liquefied. Only after its actual death can an entirely new creature, a butterfly, emerge!
Most people’s image of the process is more like Eric Carle’s classic children’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. In it, the little caterpillar “makes a cocoon around himself 
and goes to sleep, only to wake up a few weeks later wonderfully transformed into a butterfly!”
The Very Dead Caterpillar would probably have sold fewer copies. But it would have been more accurate.
When I was a kid, I used to love going to La Mirada Creek and catching those pudgy little pre-frogs we called pollywogs (you may have known them as tadpoles). 
I would bring them home and dump them into a tub, and then watch with fascination as they shed their tails, sprouted legs, and crawled out like showroom models: “The All New Frog!” That’s transformation (“change of form”) and it’s majorly cool. But it’s not what a caterpillar does.
A caterpillar dies.
After building its own coffin (cocoon), the caterpillar seals itself inside—and dissolves. And then, in a process only vaguely understood by scientists, that stew of free-floating genetic material undergoes a total metamorphosis (“change of nature”). 
In other words, butterflies aren’t souped-up caterpillars (caterpillars with wings), they’re entirely new creations made from caterpillar soup!
Not surprisingly, caterpillars and butterflies are used as spiritual symbols in virtually every culture on earth. But because the real process is so radical and so little understood, they’re nearly always represented as symbols of transformation, rather than metamorphosis. To be fair, many religious teachings do help people become better caterpillars.
But that’s not enough.
According to Jesus, God doesn’t want souped-up caterpillars, he wants butterflies. He wants us to die to ourselves (Luke 9:23-24) and become completely “new creations” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Just like caterpillars do.
The Apostle Paul (in the Greek language of Romans 12:1 and 2) describes the process of metamorphosis like this:
“Present your bodies as a living sacrifice (build your cocoon and get in!), holy (‘set apart’), acceptable to God (nothing short of metamorphosis can accomplish this). Don’t be conformed by (don’t take on the ‘shape’ of) this world (or ‘age’ or ‘era’), but (instead) be metamorphosed (changed in your very nature) by the renewing (‘regenerating’ or ‘re-growing’) of your mind (incidentally, the Greek word for mind is ‘psuche’—the same as the Greek word for butterfly!) so that you may be discerning (only by being metamorphosed can you know) what is the will of God (as opposed to the will of a dark and broken world), what is good, well-pleasing, and perfect (‘complete’ or ‘whole’—in contrast to the incompleteness and brokenness of this world).”
Caterpillars and butterflies are the world’s most popular symbol of transformation. But they’re also a far more powerful and challenging metaphor than most people realize.
It’s still early in the year. What better time to start over, not just as “The All New You!” but as a completely new creation!
Are you ready to start work on that cocoon?
Wow…⭐️👍
Nice to meet you. And thanks for visiting my quote ‘poor’ blog! Hallo from Roma, italy
Likewise, Luna, and ciao from Cincinnati, U.S.A.
Apart from the thought of caterpillar soup, that was very interesting!
This always fascinates me. My three kids went through Chrysalis (a program for teen through the Lutheran Church) and it was transforming for all three of them. “Die to self and be born new in Christ,” Amen! Thanks for this great post. Wilhelm.
My pleasure. And that sounds like a wonderful application of the concept, Wilhelm.
Sort of like, Soylent Green?
Um, well…
Loved this. Do you mind if I repost this?
Of course not. I’d be honored, Sheryl.
Thank you
Fascinating and inspiring
This is a good one!
Thank you, my Anonymous friend.
Love it! Sharing.
Honored, Gerry.
Interesting! I didn’t know this is how the transformation worked. Well drawn, the analogy and metaphor. Sadly, a recent story in The Times documents a diminishing of butterfly populations. God help ’em.
Sad indeed, Jim. They’re one of God’s most beautiful miracles.
This year the Monarchs are twice last year’s numbers!!
Hey another person who remembers getting pollywogs as a kid ! I sometimes still think of that simpler time in my chidhood, of exploring that shady summer creek, collecting the pollywogs and a salamander or two.
Yes! One of the many little wonders I wish on every child, Katie.
Very interesting – I learned something new today thanks to you, Mitch. Inspiring read as well. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure, Kirsten.
Transformation of any kind has always been awesome to me. Of course, Saul’s transformation is the one for the record; however, when a drug addict, teetering on the edge of death is transformed to becoming an example of salvation for others to follow, the new person comes out of nothing less than a miracle. Transformation is one of my favorite words.
Great examples, my friend.
I didn’t know this. That’s amazing. Thanks, Mitch.
My privilege, Don.
I didn’t know this, Mitch!
I had no idea and am moved by this post and information , I was just talking about the parts of life that move us into cocooning and transforming and now I wonder how many times Ive died and was reborn. Amazing!!
Awesome, thanks for sharing
My pleasure, L.G.
I did not know that about caterpillars! A beautiful parallel you’ve made in your post, Mitch.
So glad it spoke to you, Ab.
What a great analogy, Mitch. However, I did not know that about caterpillars.
Glad it spoke to you, Carla.
Fascinating! Thanks, Mitch!
My privilege, Maria.
This is a fabulous correlation between the butterfly metamorphous and the new creation God wants us to be. I can share this with my little granddaughter who loves butterflies. Thanks, Mitch! 🙂
My pleasure, Nancy. Hope your granddaughter enjoys it.
Your description makes the analogy even better!
Thank you, PK.
Now how did I not know this? I’m so glad you shared it, Mitch. Praise God for his ability (and interest!) to make us into new creatures!
Amen, Nancy!
Awesome share, Mitch.
Thank you, T.
My pleasure.
In answer to your ending question, Mitch .. “Yes – yes I am!!” Thanks for the fascinating info about metamorphosis!
My pleasure, Terry, and I’m so glad you are!
That is an interesting fact that I was not aware of.
Well-explained! I remember learning that long word “metamorphosis” in elementary or junior high school. I love the analogy. Since Mom’s passing, wearing a butterfly reminds me of her metamorphosis from salvation to presence with the Savior she and I have served since youth. Blessings, brother!
You too, dear Anne.
I love this post! Informative and reveals a perspective not considered before. I did not know that the caterpillar dies. I understand it for sure. Truth versus fiction or rather our version of reality. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure, San.
This is wonderful, insightful and thought provoking. An apt post for the season. Thankyou.
My privilege, Iba.
Wow! Brilliant!
Thank you, Cari.
I’m sure both my boys would have loved The Very Dead Caterpillar, Mitch. 😂🤣
;>)
Very well said! Great points!
But yes “Very Dead Caterpillar” probably wouldn’t have sold very well. 😂
;>)
I didn’t know this about the caterpillar and butterfly most if my life. It IS a great picture of rebirth in Christ. It’s not a gradual self-improvement but a death and rebirth. (I Corinthians 5:17)
Lots of points about caterpillars and butterflies!
Love it. Thanks for sharing Mitch.
My pleasure, Manu.
Good to know. Thanj you.
My pleasure, Hod.
Thank you so much for sharing this! Our God is beyond amazing ing in all He does!
You have honored Him and educated us!
My privilege, Teri.
Interesting explanation about metamorphosis. Thank you.
My pleasure, Susanne.
This is such a lovely post. I love how you related the process to us becoming a new creation through Jesus. I have about 40 butterfly chrysalis on my back porch. I am hoping that they weathered our really harsh winter and will emerge in the warmth of April or May.
What a marvelous sight that will be!
I am so surprised by this! It is amazing that we don’t really understand even the few things that we thought we knew! Excellent. Changes my perspective.
Delighted to hear that, Lori.
Mitch that’s great stuff … I read it yesterday and was preaching in my last day in El Salvador last night from 2 Cor5:17-21 and I used that and gave credit accordingly !!
Glad it came in handy, Jim!
Really good. Thank you!
My pleasure, Anonymous friend.
Wow…this message is bold, but also very wise and true. Thank you!
My pleasure, Ann.
Fascinating! I did not know this and am as always skeptical so I will verify with a lepidopterist friend at the university.🤠
Have him check your lepid levels while you’re at it, C.A. ;>)
Love this! We raised multiple generations of monarchs with our daughtets and it really is a strange and marvelous thing to be one thing and then be another.
It is indeed, my Anonymous friend.
So first we melt into goo, and THEN we fly!
Exactly, goo first, then we fly, James. Icarus tried it the other way around, only to see his wings turn to goo.
Fascinating! I never knew what really went on in a cocoon. Also like the verses you recited, Mitch. 😊
So glad it engaged you, Peggy.
Interestingly, despite turning into goop, they have been shown to retain “memories” from their caterpillar stage 🐛🦋
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2248710/
So I’ve heard. Apparently, certain learned patterns are stored in specialized cells that, unlike the others, are not destroyed
👌👍🌟✨💫
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Fascinating! While Carle’s book may not have been scientifically accurate, it remains a classic, and inspires children to learn about butterflies.
It is indeed, Jennie. Our children loved it too.
😍
Great article. Sometimes metamorphosis is what’s needed
Exactly.
I’m amazed.
I found this information so fascinating, I sent it to my children and grands as well. Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure, Carol!
What an interesting post, Mitch, I only just now read it, well, what I find healing works similarly, especially when there had been a trauma, I find, we undo ourselves in a similar way, our understanding of ourselves in order to reform in a more up-to-date way as far as our cognitive understanding, awareness of who and how we are
So good this post.
This is Maria, counselling. Don’t know why it says anonymous 🤔
Hi Maria. WordPress says it’s because you’re not logged in. But it also happens frequently to people who are logged-in. If we all had a nickel for everytime there was a glitch on WordPpress, we’d be richer than Elon.
Amen!
Sometimes, I feel like that caterpillar, only I am afraid I won’t ever appear with beautiful wings.
Just keep working on that cocoon, Brenda.
Brilliant. Well done.
Thank you, Marty.
I thought about this analogy a lot when my Dad died-death to life. It is thought-provoking.
It is indeed, Kelley.
Let me share your content with some of my friends. Can i do that?
Yes, you may, Abraham.
I remember the butterfly garden that my son and I had. You are definitely right caterpillars do not become butterflies. Caterpillars die and butterflies emerge. What a poignant spiritual post.
So glad it spoke to you, Shari.
Hey Shari could you please answer, what’s the relation between butterfly and Caterpillar? Does human sperm become a human being?
Sometimes i think you are philosopher and other other time I think you an artist, or otherwise a music composer basing your articles I read. May kindly let me know which area specifically you dueling with your articles.?
I’m a little bit of everything, Abraham.
😂😂😂
Mitchtewmley, please what’s the relation between human being and a human fertilized ovum?
It’s the beginning of a human life, Abraham.
Hi mitchteemley. Your search for knowledge is fascinating. Who would have challenged the fact that a ‘psuche’ in Greek means ‘mind’ and ‘butterfly’. I’d say that the Apostle Paul was on to something. (My prayers to God are always ‘do me like you did the Apostles…or like you (God) did my grandmother.’). Grandma was forever comparing a person’s language with scriptures. Either by correcting them or adding a little more truth to the situation. Love your writing materials.
Aw, thank you so much. Question: Do you really go by Grandma Fowler, or are you writing “as” your grandmother?
Your tadpole memory reminded me of when I was a kid and threw a frog in the tub with me. After a few minutes, he passed. That was my first harsh lesson of cold-blooded animals.
Harsh indeed. Poor little Pete, and poor little frog.
I’ve been the goo for a long time, still waiting for the next part to metamorphose…
;>)
Great analogy Mitch. And I learned something today 🙂
Thank you,Jean.
I really enjoyed this one. Thanks for sharing.
Also, thanks for checking out my blog.
My pleasure on both counts, Helen.
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I never knew this😮 😎😃
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This post taught me something that I didn’t know about metamorphosis, namely the liquefication of that poor caterpiller. I’m a lover of butterflies, specifically Monarchs. I grow tons of milk weed to attract them. They’ve fascinated me since childhood. Now, I have even greater appreciation for the little critters. Thanks for the science lesson and the connection to scripture and growth as Christian.
My privilege, Elizabeth.