Caterpillar or Butterfly Eyes?  Plus, Prayer Exercise.

Caterpillars have 6 sets of “simple” eyes, only able to distinguish between variations of light, unable to see detail or color.  When transformed into a butterfly, they are given an extra set of eyes, called Compound eyes.  With this new set of eyes, butterflies see a much larger spectrum of light and color than the human eye.  They can see ultra violet light, which is a frequency of colors beyond violet.  Humans only see color from 3 sets of cones: blue, green, and red and are unable to detect ultra-violet light.  

In their new set of eyes, butterflies have photo receptors giving them increased range of sight, now able to see in 360 degrees.  As well they have increased range of color and pattern perception able to spot the ultra violet light patterns on particular leaves and flowers.   These light patterns lead them to the sweet nectar they need to thrive and fulfill their God-given purpose.

Look at the pictures above, going back and forth, comparing the simple eyes to the compound eyes. It is obvious how much more light enters the transformed eyes.   Metamorphosis!

Most are aware metamorphosis is a beautiful concept in the Bible.  It’s an exclusive promise to Christians, a promise to be made new, Ephesians 4:23, 2 Corinthians 5:17. 

He transforms the lowly; Psalm 138:6, Matthew 18:4, 1 Corinthians 1:28, Philippians 3:21.

Continually confessing our lowly place and state is a doorway of blessing in prayer.  Christ himself took this place, associating himself below the caterpillar, as a worm (Psalm 22:6-8).  He says he is slave of all (Mark 10:44-45).  He humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:6-11).

Christ didn’t go into a cocoon.  He went into the ground in death, resurrected by the power of the Father in Heaven, Ephesians 1:20.  We have the blessing of entering a perpetual cocoon for continual transformation, Romans 12:1-2.  He wants to give us supernatural eyes in INCREASING MEASURE that replace our simple eyes.  He gives us His nature, indwelling us with Himself.  It is surrendering to Holy Spirit in us that gives us supernatural vision leading us to the divine nectar, the holy beauty and life accessible in Christ.   But we must surrender.

• Prayer confession:          “In and of myself, I am simple.”
  • Simple- from H6601; silly (that {is} seducible):- {foolish} simple
• Prayer confession:          “Apart from Christ, I sit in darkness.”
  • Darkness- from the base of G4639; shadiness that is obscurity (literally or figuratively):- darkness.
• Prayer confession:          “In and of myself, I lack understanding.”
  • Understanding- A primitive root; to separate mentally (or {distinguish}), generally to understand:- {attend} {consider} be {cunning} {direct} {discern} {inform} {instruct} have {intelligence}…

Anyone who holds these convictions on a continual basis, and confesses so to God, is safe within the perpetual catch and release cocoon of God.  Unlike a caterpillar, our cocoon is not one time, it is continual.  Because unlike caterpillars, we possess dual natures, one of flesh and one of Christ’s Spirit.  These 2 natures are at odds- Galatians 5:16-17.

Galatians 5:16-17- So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 

We are called to not indulge the flesh; rather serve one another humbly in love, Galatians 5:13.

I confess this is my biggest struggle.  My nature wants to exalt; God’s nature says “serve”.  I literally feel the wrestling of these 2 opposing natures within me.    I suppose because it is that much of a match against wills within me?!  I don’t know; but that is how it feels and taking it to God is my first place for relief.

It takes directed effort for me to take hard stops and surrender.  I must go to God for help in wrestling this flesh nature to the ground and let the Holy Spirit rise up in me.  I need His words to give me understanding and redirect my earth bound thought to the fruit of the Spirit.  I must come to Him repeatedly with the circumstances and relationships of life and ask for wisdom and understanding.  Often, VERY OFTEN, my small and simple thoughts are residing in the dark place under the leaf. 

He invites us to look up and see the spectrum of light hidden from our human eyes, the supernatural life and power that is found only in Christ’s light.

Here is a prayer exercise for the simple who want greater understanding.  It is based upon repeating Psalm 119:130. 

Psalm 119:130- The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

(As you begin, ask the Holy Spirit to give you supernatural eyes to see. 

Then repeat Psalm 119:130 to yourself 5-7 times.  As you say it each time, emphasize a different word or combination of words. Here is an example, add a couple more variations if you want.)

The

UNFOLDING of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
The unfolding of YOUR WORDS gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
The unfolding of your words GIVES LIGHT; it gives understanding to the simple.
The unfolding of your words gives light; it GIVES UNDERSTANDING to the simple.
The unfolding of your words gives light; it GIVES UNDERSTANDING TO THE SIMPLE.

Ask God in what ways are you looking with simple eyes?  (For me as an example, his response was… “Fear of the unknown.” ……… “You are safe.”)

RESPOND WITH THANKS AND EXPRESS YOUR DEPENDENCE on any words He gives that give you light and spiritual understanding.  With eyes of faith proclaim and thank him from your heart for His nature which gives and saves.

Christian proclamation- “I was once darkness, but now I am light in the Lord.  Lead me to fruit of the light which is all goodness, righteousness, and truth.” 

BLESSINGS!