The Transformation Within Us

Bound by gravity,

the caterpillar inches her way

toward food and shelter.

The time draws near—

she is summoned to sleep.

Does she know

a transformation has begun?

Does she wonder

what will she become when she wakes?

The chrysalis trembles

a crack appears.

Folded wings unfurl,

quivering in the breeze.

Freed from Earth’s gravity,

she flutters upward,

sustained by His breath—

a new creature,

transformed

to fulfill her destiny.

Karen T. Garrett

The caterpillar transforming into a butterfly still mystifies me, even after learning about the butterfly life cycle in school. Imagine my surprise I was when I learned that I, too, could become a new creature when I asked Jesus into my life. I didn’t fully understand what it meant at the time, but I was all in!

Second Corinthians 5:17-18 in the KJV refers to us as being a “new creature.” The NLT version puts it more clearly:

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ.”

By His design, we as humans don’t need to go through a physical metamorphosis to be transformed—though the idea of growing wings and flying after a lifetime of being earthbound is pretty intriguing! Instead, we are transformed by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior and by the renewing of our minds.

Romans 12:2a (NLT) says:

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”

Other Bible versions say, Don’t conform to the pattern of this world. You can interpret “the pattern of this world” however you like, but without a Savior, the outcome is not good. God asks us to turn from worldly behaviors—not to punish us, but to protect us.

So, how do we transform ourselves by renewing our minds? By focusing on what God says about us and our future. If we were created in His image, you’d think it would be easy! Unfortunately, it’s not. That tricky thing called free will means it has to be our choice, and we must make a continual effort to change.

I believe the best way to renew our minds—meaning, what and how we think—is by continually working on our personal relationship with Him. It’s so important to feed our minds with godly things.

Philippians 4:8 (NLT) says:

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Which begs the question: What are we doing, watching, reading, and listening to? What goes into our minds settles in our hearts and eventually comes out of our mouths. Have you ever heard a little one cuss? They might not have read it—but they definitely heard it, hopefully not at home.

Here’s the good news: Have you ever wondered what God’s will is for your life? The answer is found in Romans 12:2b (NLT):

“Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

So, it’s clearly to our benefit to focus on godly beliefs rather than worldly ones—they’re not the same. Be transformed. Be more like Him. Transformation is a process—a journey we are all on.

Just remember: You can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results.