Every spring, we see a bunch of these little things called caterpillars, invading the plants all around us. Even though it's not quite spring yet, I want to talk about something incredible that I learned about caterpillars a few months ago. So, put on your science thinking cap for a few minutes here...
Caterpillars are born as long, worm-like creatures, built exclusively to eat food. In fact, in a period of 2 weeks, a caterpillar will multiply its body weight 3,000 times (whoa...). So, it makes perfect sense that they have several features meant just for eating, like a long stomach that extends down most of its body, a tube-like heart, and obviously, no reproductive organs since it's a juvenile insect. However, there is something so miraculous about each of these little creatures; they are each equipped for the future. Every one of these tiny creatures is born with something called imaginal cells within its body in addition to the larval cells that make up its functioning organs. These imaginal cells sit dormant for the duration of the caterpillar's stage of eating. But, after gorging itself on leaves and such for several weeks, the fat little guy prepares to use them for the first time. As you probably know, caterpillars don't just stay baby insects forever; they go through a crazy process called metamorphosis. So, the caterpillar begins a process that will only last a few weeks by making a chrysalis. Let me tell you what happens INSIDE this chrysalis. First, the caterpillar's larval cells begin to systematically destroy themselves, turning the caterpillar into a big mush within the chrysalis. Essentially, it's killing itself! But, all hope is definitely not lost. Those imaginal cells are still there and they begin to use mitosis (splitting apart to multiply themselves; remember that from biology?) to rebuild into a new creature: a butterfly! Even cooler is the fact that the inside of the chrysalis is similar to a mold; you can see the pattern of the wings and body inside it! Then, the moment arrives after only weeks of construction; the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis, a completely new creature with a tiny stomach, a compactly sized heart, beautiful feathery wings, a mouth designed for eating nectar rather than leaves, and reproductive organs.
When I learned about this entire process, I was completely blown away. For one thing, how could anyone believe in evolution when they see cool stuff like this?! I mean really, the theory of evolution is based on survival of the fittest, so when a creature essentially kills itself without insight that it will continue to survive later on, the entire theory makes no sense.
But, I also realized something cool about us; we as Christians have "imaginal cells" too! Look at this verse:
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:10
Just like the little caterpillar, there are aspects in each of us that aren't being used right now like talents, abilities, and strengths. We don't realize it, but God has given us the exact tools that we'll need to succeed as we follow Him.
Also like the caterpillar, we have been called to "die"..
"Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it."
Luke 9:23-24
This basically means that we are setting aside our own desires, dying to ourselves. Whenever I hear about denying myself, a scared feeling wells up inside me. But then again, I remember the imaginal cells. What do they mean in this context? Well, I believe that God has equipped us with the strength to follow His will. Just as the caterpillar was given the ability to come out of his death as a beautiful butterfly, our own "imaginal cells" give us the strength to deny ourselves and to recklessly abandon ourselves to Christ, but become something so much greater in the end. I'm not sure how you feel about the matter, but I personally would rather be a soaring butterfly than a fat, ugly caterpillar.
All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
~Beautiful Things by the Michael Gungor Band
P.S. I got all of this cool information about imaginal cells and caterpillars from a video called "Metamorphosis" made by Illustra Media.
Here's a link if you want to see some clips from it...
http://www.metamorphosisthefilm.com/clips.php
