Wondering where the butterflies are
Butterflies in winter? Amazingly, yes. I recently enjoyed a couple of Sunday morning hours in the butterfly conservatory at Niagara Falls. What welcome respite from a January blast. How invigorating to pause in the effervescent presence of hundreds of beautiful butterflies fluttering an endless dance. What a joy to bask in the warmth of their tropical environment. It was superbly serene and life giving.
It was also a great setting for spiritual meditation.
Watching multi-hued butterflies hover and dip, flap and swoop, flicker and fly in colourful motion was mesmerizing and thought provoking. Watching other people who were also watching butterflies made me realize how fascinating these wee creatures really are. Their unpredictable movements are absolutely delightful. They tantalize and surprise. Butterflies bring smiles to faces. They evoke wonder.
Somewhere along the line I began to draw some comparisons between butterflies and Christians. Bottom line: I wanted Christians to be more like butterflies. It goes a little deeper than the sense of delight, the smiles and the warmth I associate with these fragile insects, although these are important. Here's what occurred to me.
Butterflies are harmless. Nobody ever got hurt by a butterfly. They are gentler than doves, more tender than a doting mother. They give no cause for fear. What a blessing such creatures are in our world.
Butterflies are defenseless. Well, not exactly. Apparently some butterflies are toxic to certain predators, but only because the particular plant that they feed passes along its poison to the butterfly-eater. (Kind of an it-serves-you-right scenario.) Also, some butterfly wing markings provide camouflage while the colours and patterns of others simulate strength or send out warnings. But—and this is the point—any defense a butterfly can mount is derived from powers beyond it.
Butterflies are remarkable. Their inspiring beauty is a big part of this as their activity and colours stimulate imagination. Butterflies stir up feelings of transcendence. They remind us of matters that force us to think beyond ourselves. And then there's their unexpected endurance. How do monarch butterflies manage to migrate from Canada to Mexico? It's a remarkable story.
Butterflies are useful. They make a contribution to the welfare of our world in at least two ways. On the downside, part of their utility is being part of the food supply. They do provide nourishment to other creatures. More positively, next to bees they are the biggest cross-pollinators. In other words, they are life giving.
Not to stretch the analogy too far, but wouldn't it be wonderful if people everywhere considered their Christian neighbours to be harmless? Wouldn't it be good if we were known for a lack of defensiveness in our posture? (Why are we so inclined to rely on our own strength?) How inspiring it would be to be known for the beauty of our ways, and how magnificent if our lives were admired for contributing to the well being of others.
Now, that's a legacy worth pursuing.
Dear Readers:
ChristianWeek relies on your generous support. please take a minute and donate to help give voice to stories that inform, encourage and inspire.
Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable receipt.Thank you, from Christianweek.
