THE BUTTERFLY
METAPHOR[1]
It seems to me that the butterfly offers a
parallel to the situation in which the Church finds itself. An egg hatches, and
the tiny larva sneaks into the world. Its movement is limited. It tries to
blend in, but it is slow, soft and vulnerable. Its world is haunted with
dangers. Too many other larvae, hatched at the same time, die or are devoured
by predators. But in that little bug, there is unimagined potential.
Then the moment comes when the larva dares to
spin a cocoon. Metaphorically, the Church does the same. Its evolving
structures accomplish three purposes: first, internal change begins to happen;
second, the cocoon serves as a coat of protection for the vulnerable life
inside. Hidden away, it is safe. And third, though unseen, an amazing
metamorphosis is taking place. When the transformation is complete, the
struggle to be reborn begins.
However, the very protection that has kept it
safe now becomes its greatest danger. The cocoon is tough, an almost
inescapable prison. But when the metamorphosis is complete, that hidden life
knows instinctively that it must escape or die. It begins to scratch the inside
walls of its cell relentlessly with its claws. Travail, pain and exhaustion
become almost more that it can bear. Then a small tear appears in the cocoon.
The struggle intensifies.
Finally, the transformed larva breaks through
the cocoon as a scrunched up butterfly. In short order, its wings dry. The
butterfly gingerly exercises them. Its wings become more confident. They flap,
lifting the graceful creature off into a new domain. Our transformed hero soars
off into a glorious new world into dimensions never imagined. It no longer
lives as before in lonely, dependent misery. Everywhere it lands, it
cross-pollinates all it touches, making the magic of reproduction possible. The
butterfly has been given second life, dramatically richer, with a creativity
and influence never imagined possible as a lowly larva.
In many ways, the contemporary Church’s
condition in complex culture necessarily goes through similar stages. Those of
us called to minister under these conditions, confront change, hostility, and
danger. We tend to cocoon ourselves away from the raw edge of society.
Our postmodern/secular society is undergoing
a seismic shift in the context of ministry everywhere. Yet, God is at work,
“metamorphosing” the Church. Even when we find ourselves buried in the
chrysalis. God is transforming us into instruments of blessing. It is here that
“Reconnecting the Church” enters the
picture. It is a testimony of the struggle to break through the cocoon.
Travail, pain, and exhaustion, are unavoidable for the Church to be able to
stretch its wings and fly.
However, God in His timing, and we, in our
humble and desperate scratching, suddenly discover a Church that is free to
soar, free to generate life wherever the Body of Christ lands. For those
willing to scratch through this book and its many implications, I believe in
you! I believe in the irresistible mission of the Church! I believe in the
extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit to use us all to soar in ways and in
worlds we have not yet imagined.
[1]
From
Kauffman, J. Timothy. Reconnecting the
Church: Finding Our Place in Complex Culture. Bloomington, IN: Xlibris
Publishing. 2010, pp. 205-206.
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