Photo by Cathle Bird
It has happened again. I have once again been reminded of God’s love in such a simple way. You see, I was busy doing yard work. Where I live, if you are in charge of a yard of almost any size, there is no need for a membership to one of those health clubs. All that is necessary is a few hours of outside summer work, not that vigorous mind you, and the pounds will melt away. Well, I was sweating away and there it was. I wasn’t looking for it but it couldn’t be missed. A butterfly landed just a few feet from where I was working. There was no option but to stop what I was doing and take in the beauty of the small creature. He sat there for minutes, working his wings slowly back and forth. Did he/she know I was watching him/her?
I don’t know a lot about butterflies, but whenever this happens everything else stops and God comes to mind. Did God send this butterfly to remind me of his mercy and glory? I don’t know but it always has that effect.
I had seen this type before but, just like people, they are all different. This one had a bit more orange at the edge of its wings than I have seen before. It was decided that the name of this type of butterfly would be researched.
How can one not appreciate this awesome creation of God? There is a great debate whether it even is a creation of God. I have never understood that question but atheists and theologians spend hours on why people like me don’t understand the debate.
The butterfly is like many things in life, it can be seen for its simpleness or for its complexity. There is nothing wrong with the two but humans tend to either under or overthink things. I’ve found an attempt at staying somewhere in the middle keeps me sane.
It is important to come to a conclusion about the origin of the butterfly. What one thinks about it will affect one’s entire view of the world. The butterfly reminds me that the Gospel message has levels of complexity. That God loved us enough to send Jesus to pay for our sins is something that most children can get some sort of grasp on. Yet, theologians spend hours on just how God has saved us. There are certainly enough questions on subjects like, justification, sanctification, free-will, predestination, evil, heaven, hell, and the list goes on and on and is enough to keep any student of the Bible busy for a lifetime.
There are those who think the butterfly is the result of some sort of evolutionary process. They spend hours and hours trying to figure out ways that it could have appeared.
The butterfly makes things simple for me for a wonderful moment of time. All the questions disappear in appreciation of the alluring little glider. The focus is on the creation. It moves so peacefully and seems so delicate. Then I remember the complex process the small critter went through to take its current form. Anyone who has read much of this blog knows my opinion. Like the butterfly, Christians are the result of a creative process that continues until the day we die. There is a God. We have been created in His image. God loves mankind so much that he sent his only begotten Son to die so that we might live.
I thank God for that little butterfly.
Chris Reimers
Note: The butterfly that was seen today is known as The Diana Fritillary, the Official State Butterfly of Arkansas.
“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1
First sightings of this butterfly in Hot Springs, Arkansas:
2022…July 1
Posted by Chris 
Wings of the Wind 