Pastor Tyler’s Blog

CHAMELEON OR BUTTERFLY?

Three weeks ago, I was in the midst of planning for the next series of lessons for the Senior High, when I came across an article in one of my favorite magazines, Discipleship Journal. The article was entitled “Truly Transformed.” As I began to read through the article, there was a connection to the times we live in–and the next message I desired to communicate to our youth. That message was more the posed question, “Are you content with just conforming or is there a desire to be transformed?”

Romans 12:2 reads, “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. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (NLT) Paul had been observing the church in Rome and had come to the conclusion that those in that church looked far too similar to those who were a part of the Roman culture and did not understood the saving grace of Christ. One must ask, is it any different from today?

If you look around, I don’t think it’s too difficult to observe that, oftentimes, those who claim the name of Christ look pretty similar to those who don’t. For example, the current divorce statistics look quite similar within the Church as those in families that don’t claim the Truths of a Biblical worldview. We are seeing another generation contented with the idea that living together and enjoying the physical benefits of marriage without an actual commitment is alright—and justified. We excuse the use of foul and poor language. We gossip about and slander our own brother and sisters in Christ. We are just as likely to be the victim of road rage as we are to engage in it. We see people who are angry, dissatisfied, frustrated, and depressed. All in all, it seems like there is very little difference between those of the world and those who are Christian—we who are challenged to be in but not of this world. Why is this?

Is it possible that along the way we learned to conform to the patterns of church? Is it possible we’ve seen how to copy behaviors of Christians yet not really allow God to transform us? Is it possible we’ve never been transformed and we simply are content living a life as chameleon?

The chameleon is an amazing animal; part of its self defense is the ability to blend into its surroundings. It adapts, changes and fits in to where it needs. Does that sound like you? Do you have a tendency to blend in, to fit in where you need to? Do you fall in line with expectations of co-workers or friends? Christians can oftentimes live the best at a chameleon lifestyle. We know the songs, we’ve heard the stories, and we know the language of what it looks like to be Christian. Yet Monday morning, we know that the “real” world awaits, and the Christian lifestyle just “doesn’t fit us” in that reality.

There is a part of us that rises up to blend in or hide in order to keep people from really seeing who we are. We struggle with the idea of transformation maybe because we were let down when we first prayed the prayer. After all, wasn’t there supposed to be this warm and fuzzy feeling and all your problems go away? Isn’t there supposed to be some great celebration as I make a commitment to changing my way of life?

The butterfly is one of God’s best ways of communicating His plan for us. The butterfly starts out life crawling around on the ground. All it ever sees is the stems of plants and the dust and dirt of the ground. I’m sure it wonders, is this all? Is this all I was meant for? Have you ever asked that question? Yet, what the butterfly maybe doesn’t realize is there will be a time for something new, something better. There comes a time when the butterfly climbs up to build a chrysalis. As time goes by in that cocoon, something begins to happen. Transformation is taking place. When the cocoon or chrysalis opens, the caterpillar is no more, and what is, is the beauty of a new butterfly. With new wings, the butterfly now is given a new perspective of the world. Perspective changes, direction changes, and purpose changes.

Has that happened to you? Do you sense that you now have a different perspective on life because of what Christ has done for you? Has your direction changed because of the Holy Spirit speaking to you and guiding you? Has your purpose changed now that you have new life and new eyes?

You can tape wings to a worm, but that will never make nor allow it to fly. You can learn to blend, but that won’t give you access to the transformation that God wants to do in you! Are you content with copied behaviors? Or is there something inside you that wants new perspective—or simply new life? If the world is going to be changed, it must start with a transformed you, a transformed family, and a transformed Church. So here’s the question are you a chameleon,,,or a butterfly?